The Global Special Operations Forces (SOF) Foundation (GSOF) is truly honored and excited to co-sponsor the newly envisioned “SOF Week” with U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM).  The former Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (SOFIC) was a successful annual program for USSOCOM. Its expansion into “SOF Week” beginning in 2023 will build on that success by unifying the geographically, operationally, and Service dispersed SOF enterprise and offering a variety of programs for its many stakeholders and supporters.

GSOF is uniquely positioned to execute this vision as the only professional association serving the entire international SOF community. It has planned and produced SOF-specific symposiums in the U.S. and Europe since 2015 and possesses a vast network including Allied and Partner Nations, as well the GSOF Advisory Council of former senior SOF leaders and supporters worldwide. Also, by partnering with Clarion Events, a premier global exhibition organizer, our team will lend its joint expertise to deliver on USSOCOM’s objectives and host a world-class inaugural “SOF Week” in May 2023.

Stuart Bradin, President and CEO, GSOF: “We are extremely excited USSOCOM selected GSOF to co-sponsor its newly envisioned “SOF Week” in 2023. SOF Week will be a national convention for U.S. SOF and include a more diverse slate of programs, to include professional development sessions, operator-driven discussions, and family-focused conversations. In 2020, GSOF was designated as a National Military Association by the U.S. Department of Defense, and we look forward to working with USSOCOM to make “SOF Week” an impactful event.”

Tracy Bebbington, Director, Clarion Events: “Having worked together with GSOF on their European event for a number of years, we are thrilled to be extending this close working relationship even further. The newly named “SOF Week” is a huge opportunity for us to work together with USSOCOM and the SOF community to reshape their flagship event to build on the successes to date. This is a pivotal time for this community because of the changing, complex national security environment. By introducing new elements and features to the program, we’re looking to meet the needs and objectives of all who participate.”

More information on “SOF Week” will be available shortly. To register your interest in exhibiting, sponsoring, or participating in the event, please visit www.sofweek.org.

Tuesday 4 October 2022

Two Australian innovators have been named winners of the prestigious Land Forces 2022 Innovation Awards, worth some $30,000. Their success was announced this afternoon at Land Forces 2022, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre.

In a first for the Land Forces Innovation Awards, both the National and the SME Innovation Awards were won by the same company. Pentarch Pty Limited has developed a system called Damocles which uses Artificial Intelligence (AI) and robotics to remove the human risks associated with inspecting and defuzing live High Explosive and Illuminating artillery rounds. The panel of eight judges, led by former Deputy Chief Defence Scientist Dr Bill Schofield AM, agreed that Pentarch’s entry was a standout winner.

The Young Innovator Award was presented to Mr James Tsarouhas of Anywise, a young engineer from Victoria, for his work on designing and integrating an array of sensors for military bridges, making them more reliable and safer for the engineers erecting them.

The Awards, including the two cheques for $15,000, were presented at LAND FORCES 2022, at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre (BCEC). They are sponsored this year by Synergy Group, a team of thinkers, solvers and doers focussed on innovation and professional services.

The winners are:

• Land Forces 2022 National Innovation Award: Pentarch Pty Limited (VIC)

• Land Forces 2022 Defence SME Innovation Award ($15,000): Pentarch Pty Limited (VIC)

• Land Forces 2022 Young Innovator Award ($15,000): Mr James Tsarouhas, Anywise (VIC)

In addition, three Award contenders won a High Commendation:

• Land Forces 2022 National Innovation Award HIGH COMMENDATION: DMTC Limited (VIC) – for leading a team that has developed a rapid diagnostic system that enables diagnosis in minutes of COVID and other viruses and bacteria that can afflict deployed troops

• Land Forces 2022 Defence SME Innovation Award HIGH COMMENDATION: Tekuma (SA) – for developing the Easy Manoeuvre Unit (EMU), incorporating a patented Tekuma control orb as a universal controller for robots

• Land Forces 2022 Young Innovator Award HIGH COMMENDATION: Mr Lachlan Clark, Anywise (VIC) – for his work on the software, Graphical User Interface (GUI) and data management system of the Fleet Agnostic Bridge Health and Usage Monitoring System, FABHUMS

Short videos of the winners are viewable on the Land Forces 2022 web site –

www.landforces.com.au/innovation/awards

The Innovation Awards were created by AMDA Foundation Limited and presented for the first time at the 2013 AVALON Australian International Airshow and Aerospace & Defence Exposition. Since then, some $455,000-worth of SME and Young Innovator Awards have been presented. Today that total climbed to $485,000.

“Our Innovation Awards are designed to recognise and reward the innovativeness and achievements of Australian companies and individuals. They’re still the only Awards of their kind and have become increasingly prestigious,” said LAND FORCES 2022 CEO Mr Justin Giddings.

“The quality of the entries received this year is a reflection of both the excellence and ambition of Australian companies serving the country’s defence market,” Mr Giddings added. “They also reflect the increasing attention paid by the industry to export opportunities: a number of the entries are already very active in overseas markets.”

All of the Land Forces 2022 Innovation Award winners were presented with engraved glass trophies, designed and made by Wathaurong Glass Arts, an indigenously owned and managed cooperative in Geelong.

In addition, the winners of the SME Innovation Award and Young Innovator Award were presented with a cheque for $15,000 each. “These monetary Awards are designed as rewards for their efforts and as a financial contribution to further innovation and the development of professional skills,” said Mr Giddings.

AMDA Foundation Limited is an Australian not-for-profit corporation established to promote the development of aviation and Australia’s industrial, manufacturing and information/communications technology resources in the fields of aviation, aerospace, maritime, defence and security.