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Archive for the ‘SOF’ Category

Green Berets Leverage Immersive Simulator for Training

Thursday, February 15th, 2024

FORT CARSON, Co. — Members of the special forces community are utilizing training software that employs, to some degree, artificial intelligence. Operators with 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne) completed multiple iterations of VirTra simulation training at the Human Performance Training Center on the 10th SFG (A) Complex, Feb. 2, 2024.

Applicable for both law enforcement and military, the VirTra simulator is a program featuring technology that can present different scenarios to its users which helps sharpen shooting skills. The program is fully customizable, helping individuals prepare for real-life incidents, while also providing accurate ballistics and military weapons qualification courses.

10th SFG’s (A) cognitive performance specialist, Jake Blumberg, oversaw the training iterations that were conducted in the HPTC. Blumberg described the structure of the training and designed it to be as realistic and similar to combat as possible, explaining that the Green Berets were guided through a series of exercises to spike their heart rate before executing shooting scenarios.

“This allows us to pair marksmanship with a variety of different training environments where they are coupled with a strength coach to simulate physical stress,” said Blumberg. “[Operators] are then able to create a variety of different ranges and targets to really hone their craft.”

Blumberg mentioned that 10th SFG(A) is the only Special Forces Group in the U.S. Army that has full-time access to this sort of technology and to think of the VirTra simulator as a more advanced version of the U.S. Army’s already well-known Engagement Skills Trainer.

“This [technology] provides what the EST can in terms of weapons qualification and flat range practice,” Blumberg remarked. “But VirTra also incorporates different types of drills, from reaction drills to threat-not-threat scenarios.”

The different scenario options that VirTra features include active threat, hostage situation, threat recognition and high-risk entry. Through these scenarios, the VirTra simulator is actively analyzing the decisions that its users make and then adjusting what happens in the program based on those decisions.

Several Green Berets were afforded the opportunity to this unique training and one team captain commented that it gives him and his Soldiers unlimited opportunities to practice the fundamentals and increase their personal shooting skills, since using the simulator doesn’t use any live ammunition.

Since this technology is local to 10th SFG (A), this allows the operators to hone their craft at any time of the day and not spend time reserving ranges or acquiring other supplies.

“Everything comes down to increasing lethality, so the more triggers we pull in the correct manner, that’s what we want,” said the team captain. “Practice makes permanent — ultimately we want to be training the fundamentals all the time and this is another venue for guys to pull their personal weapon and become better at the basics.”

By SGT David Cordova

SOFWERX – Performance Monitoring Wearables Industry Demonstration Day

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

SOFWERX, in collaboration with Navy Special Warfare Center (NSWCEN), will host an Industry Day, 02-04 April 2024, to allow potential vendors to demonstrate physiological monitoring capabilities. These engagements with Industry and Government Labs will help NSWCEN identify potential material solutions. NSWCEN intends to survey industry for mature, non-developmental, technology that may support rapid fielding of this capability.

NSWCEN seeks a technological capability to gather, ingest, store, analyze and monitor candidate physiological status during Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training and Basic Crewman Selection training (BUD/S and BCS). Additionally, NSWCEN requires automated data transfer, direct from device to NSWCEN data repository, with no upload or transfer through non-NSW information technology (e.g., devices, servers, or systems). The ability for seamless follow-on transfer to secure government data systems will be required. Current holistic monitoring capability does not exist. NSWCEN may consider inclusion of already Federal Government approved (via official authorization to operate (ATO) information technology) depending on the associated security controls. Industry should be prepared to provide copies of ATOs and any supporting documentation (e.g., privacy impact assessment) to NSWCEN for market research consideration. This type of automatic data transfer would allow for leadership, cadre and the human performance program staff to have a high level of awareness of candidate performance throughout BUD/S while keeping data secure on NSWCEN dashboards.

They want to explore potential wireless physiological monitoring devices/system capable of conducting continuous monitoring of physiological status (to include but not limited to heart rate, heart rate variability, sleep monitoring, body temperature deviation, exercise and activity volume and intensity) with automated data transfer from device to a secure NSWCEN data repository. The goal is to increase real-time situational awareness, candidate safety, data ingestion, storage, and analytical capability to predict and mitigate injury, and optimize performance monitoring. The wearable device itself would be durable for continuous use in varied arduous and tactical training environments including water, sand, and cold weather. Battery life in fully operational mode (i.e. recording and transmitting real-time data) shall be at least twelve (12) hours, optimally twenty-four (24) hours on one charge. Self-charging is optimal/preferred.

From a hardware standpoint, they seek:

Wireless communication hub and web server: “Bluetooth Router” or similar networking infrastructure to eliminate the need for a mobile device and mobile application in the loop. No dependency on, upload to, or transmission through- external network connectivity. Fully functional on a local, standalone network.

Software: Web Application for viewing physiological status metrics (individual and macro views), managing active/connected devices, and setting alerting parameters.

Submit NLT 05 March 2024 11:59 PM ET.

Top Army Generals for Cyber, Space and Special Ops Convene

Tuesday, February 13th, 2024

PETERSON SPACE FORCE BASE, Colo. — The U.S. Army’s top generals for cyber, space and special operations forces met to discuss the Triad partnership and how they can further develop, operationalize and institutionalize the collaboration.

Commanding Generals Lt. Gen. Maria B. Barrett, U.S. Army Cyber Command; Lt. Gen. Jonathon P. Braga, U.S. Army Special Operations Command; and Lt. Gen. Sean A. Gainey, U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command, met Jan. 31, 2024, for the third Triad 3-Star General Officer Steering Committee at USASMDC headquarters at Peterson Space Force Base.

Members of the committee emphasized the importance of the Triad due to the ever-changing character of warfare. Along with this evolution, the threats and the nature of deterrence are changing for the United States. The Triad looks to develop innovative and comprehensive solutions.

“The Cyber-Space-SOF Triad provides one of these solutions,” Braga said. “It is a ‘Modern-Day Triad’ designed to converge unique accesses, capabilities, authorities, understanding and effects in many of the same ways we have implemented combined arms operations. Additionally, the Triad provides operational and strategic advantage during active campaigning, crisis and conflict, while presenting options to senior leaders that are less escalatory than current strategic deterrence options.”

Gainey said that they must continue building upon the significant progress the Triad has already made in the development of concepts, capabilities and formations that enable exquisite operational preparation of the environment. The commands have already developed a unified exercise, experimentation and engagement plan for fiscal year 2024 and fiscal year 2025.

“We are working with the Theater Special Operations Command to ensure they know the space and high-altitude capabilities we can provide and to develop the operational concepts of employment,” said Gainey.

“(The Triad) is developing real-world employment concepts designed to enable Army and joint force objectives anywhere in the world at a time and place of our choosing,” Gainey said. “Additionally, the Triad will enable ‘Left of Launch’ trans-regional missile defeat and active campaigning to ensure the ability of our nation’s adversaries to strike the United States, as well as its partners and allies is prevented.”

The Triad is a major way we can contribute to multi-domain operations and for us, the potential it provides our Missile Defeat efforts, as well as the access, understanding, and effects it can enable for the Joint Force are undeniable, Gainey said.

“As such, the Triad provides flexible deterrent options that can shape the threat environment in ways our adversaries are unaware of and can provide flexible response options if they choose to break international norms and escalate tensions into conflict,” he said.

Braga said the Triad has an outsized impact against the adversary’s capabilities as it relates to SOF, space and cyber.

“That is why it is inherent we work together, experiment together and learn together,” Braga said.

Barrett said the Triad is coming up with solutions and tools together as a team.

“Triad operations disrupt adversary actions, demonstrate resolve, shape the adversary’s perceptions and gain advantage for warfighters when deterrence fails,” Barrett said. “ARCYBER has a track record of integrating cyber, electronic warfare and influence operations and can now deliver that to triad partners.”

By Dottie White, USASMDC

SOFWERX – SBIR 24.4 Release 4 Pre-Release – Advanced Manufacturing for Common Launch Container

Monday, February 12th, 2024

The USSOCOM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will soon be accepting for SOCOM244-005: Advanced Manufacturing for Common Launch Container. For a full description click here.

On 20 February, SOFWERX will host a virtual Q&A session for the area of interest.

Submissions Open 21 February 2024 12:00 PM ET (Noon).

To register for the Q&A, visit events.sofwerx.org/sbir24-4r4.

GA-ASI Demonstrates A2E Concept with AFSOC

Thursday, February 8th, 2024

SAN DIEGO – During a series of demonstrations in December 2023, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) and the U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) worked collaboratively to execute several capability demonstrations as part of the Adaptive Airborne Enterprise (A2E) concept development.

The first demo featured the simultaneous control of three MQ-9A remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) by a single crew using the government-owned AFSOC RPA Control Suite (ARCS). ARCS adds additional capability to the Ground Control Station (GCS), by allowing a standard crew to control multiple UAS platforms. The second demo showed that an MQ-9A can launch a Altius 600 from a launch pod.

“We have established a great partnership with AFSOC,” said David R. Alexander, president of GA-ASI. “We know our RPA will be a key building block for AFSOC to achieve its A2E vision.”

AFSOC is acquiring MQ-9B from GA-ASI for rapid prototyping and will forego a traditional GCS to control the RPA. Rather, AFSOC intends to control both the MQ-9A and MQ-9B aircraft, as well as a family of small UAS, from the ARCS. This event demonstrated the viability of ARCS to control the MQ-9A platform, which will lay the foundation for future work to integrate the MQ-9B aircraft into ARCS. This event also demonstrated the viability to operate the MQ-9 platform as surrogates for small UAS, all of which will be controlled by ARCS.

“These demonstrations were what we needed to really start to make A2E a reality,” said AFSOC Col. Trey Olman. “This was the first time we were able to demonstrate control of multiple RPAs from a single workstation, which is important in reducing manpower requirements.”

The A2E demonstrations took place at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M. and Melrose Air Force Range (MAFR), N.M., and utilized Satellite Communications (SATCOM) Launch & Recovery (SLR). AFSOC launched the three MQ-9As using GA-ASI’s Portable Aircraft Control Stations (PACS) and Ground Control Stations. Once airborne, control for the three MQ-9A was handed from the three GCS to a single ARCS workstation. Control of all three aircraft was handed back from ARCS to each GCS and the three aircraft performed SATCOM landings via GA-ASI’s Automatic Takeoff and Landing Capability (ATLC).

The A2E concept envisions AFSOC projecting air power from beyond the horizon, using a family of large, unmanned aircraft along with small, expendable UAS, from permissive to denied environments. MQ-9B is the ideal platform for inserting air-launched effects into potentially hostile environments. The MQ-9B’s combination of range, endurance, reduced manpower footprint, and overall flexibility will key to AFSOC’s future family of advanced UAS systems.

SOFWERX STEM Showcase 2024

Thursday, February 8th, 2024

The SOFWERX STEM Showcase 2024 is an opportunity for Government, Academia, and Industry to showcase technology, inspire, and guide the next generation of innovators and problem solvers. SOFWERX, in collaboration with the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Industry Partners, and local Universities, Colleges, and Trade Schools will host?a 1-day STEM Showcase for high school juniors/seniors and college-age students on 10 May from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM ET at the SOFWERX facility in Tampa, FL (Ybor City).

For more info, visit events.sofwerx.org/sofwerx-stem-showcase-2024.

USSOCOM Innovation Foundry (IF15) Event – Outsmarting Smart Cities

Wednesday, February 7th, 2024

SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM’s Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T) Futures and UK Strategic Command, will host the fifteenth Innovation Foundry event (IF15) 17-19 April 2024, in London, England.  As the second international event in the series, IF15 aims to bring together military practitioners, industry, academia, national laboratories, and futurists to explore and ideate around future scenarios and missions. This phase of the innovation cycle is being co-sponsored by the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD).

The theme of IF15, ‘Smart Cities – Future Challenges for SOF’, will explore the challenges of physical and remote SOF operations in a range of future complex smart city scenarios. 

The rapidly changing nature of the future operating environment will increasingly involve operations in smart, interconnected cities. More than 50% of humanity resides in cities, and by 2030 there will be more than 60 cities with populations between 5-10 million. Many are located within global resource hot spots in an increasingly multi-polar world order that challenges hegemonic legacies. These dense urbanities are becoming ever more complex; socially, physically, and technically.

This presents new challenges and opportunities for SOF operations across the full breadth of potential mission sets, in an interconnected environment where access and manoeuvre will be challenging. The confluence of domains and environments amplifies these challenges. Virtual and physical theatre entry, combat operations, sustainment, and partnering will all require novel approaches. From biometrics to autonomy, to remote sensing, future smart cities will present SOF with some of the toughest challenges.

To tackle these problems SOF will need to:
•    Develop a vision for the future challenges posed by operating in smart cities.
•    Identify, understand, and combat smart city risks and vulnerabilities.
•    Develop plans and policies to enable operational advantage in smart cities and exploit dual-use capabilities.
•    Develop capabilities to understand and characterize adversarial actions in smart cities.
•    Develop new concepts of operation with partners and allies to operate in a range of heavily constrained smart cities scenarios.
•    Identify, recruit, and train for the skillsets required to operate in future smart cities.

Submit NLT 04 March 2024 11:59 PM ET.

events.sofwerx.org/ussocom-innovation-foundry-if-15-event

SOFWERX – Handheld Kinetic Defeat of UAS

Wednesday, January 24th, 2024

The USSOCOM Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program will soon be accepting submissions Handheld Kinetic Defeat of UAS. Submissions Open 31 January 2024.

The objective of this topic is to develop a handheld defeat capability to defeat Unmanned/Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS). Low size, weight, power, and cost (SWaP-C) solutions that can kinetically defeat Group 1-3 UAS (DoD defined) are desired. Defeat range is important, but reliability and a high probability of kill (Pk) are higher priority.

Visit events.sofwerx.org/sbir24-4r3 for details.