USSOCOM: SOF AT&L OVERVIEW

COURTESY OF USSOCOM

COMMAND, CONTROL, COMMUNICATIONS AND COMPUTERS (C4)

In fiscal year 2021, the Program Executive Office (PEO) Command, Control, Communications, and Computers (C4) fielded more transformative capabilities while continuing the pursuit of RDT&E efforts and assessments to further transform SOF’s communications and military information support operations capabilities. PEO C4 also provided SOF AT&L and the HQ with capabilities to enable mission performance while teleworking due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all while exceeding prior years’ execution goals. PEO C4 executed more than $856.5 million, delivering more than 41,000 communications, information technology (IT), and military information support operations (MISO) items to SOF worldwide.

U.S. Marine Cpl. Jeremey Samuel, a fire support Marine with 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company (ANGLICO), III Marine Expeditionary Force Information Group, and U.S. Army Special Forces operators with 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), use a Handheld Link 16 radio to conduct simulated close air support (CAS) at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Iwakuni, Japan, Feb. 15, 2022. The training focused on the joint force’s ability to integrate and refine tactics of CAS, which requires detailed planning and careful coordination between pilots and forces on the ground.

The Tactical Communications Program Management Office (PMO) fielded:

•10,531 Next Gen Tactical Communications (NGTC) radios

• 242 Satellite Deployable Node (SDN) systems

• 10,168 Tactical Local Area Network (TACLAN) items

• 38 Radio Integration Systems (RIS)

• 262 Handheld Link-16 radios

In FY21, the SDN team completed a successful capabilities assessment and fielding of SDN-Light Satellite Communications (SATCOM) On-The-Move (SOTM) for the Combatant Craft-Medium. Also, the SDN team initiated a test and evaluation for another SOTM for maritime support vessels, which could result in ~80% cost savings over its predecessor. TACLAN awarded three SBIR projects to develop a new, optimized Field Computing Device – Wearable, improving operator interface and situational awareness. The NGTC team completed another operational test for the Next Gen Manpack (AN/ PRC-167) radios, achieving 100% life-cycle replacement quantities for MARSOC, 95% for AFSOC, 68% for NAVSPECWARCOM, and 45% for USASOC. The RIS team processed multiple task orders to integrate gateway software requirements ensuring interoperability between dissimilar military standards and vendor-specific communication solutions, supporting all SOF PEOs and users.

The Enterprise Networks (EN) fielded:

• 4 Installation Service Nodes.

• 16,816 IT devices/systems

• 9 SOCRATES Installation Processing Nodes

• 3,384 IT devices/systems

• 1 Site Installation Gateway and 10 CERPs

• 1 new Satellite Receive Video Terminal Installation

In FY21, the PMO assumed execution responsibility from J3 for the Operations Management and Execution Network System, providing leaders with near-real-time SOF readiness information. The PMO delivered a Cyber Security Service Provider (CSSP) “Commercial Cloud” Capability Based Assessment, informing leadership on the tools, training, and manning required to perform commercial cloud CSSP services. Additionally, the PMO completed a dual security domain Agile Reach Laptop Analysis of Alternatives, surveying the marketplace for a “shovel ready” solution; total cost of ownership and an assessment completed.

The MISO Systems PMO fielded:

• 4 Next-Generation Loudspeaker System-Dismounted (NGLS-D) Generation 2 Wireless Test Articles

• 5 MOBY (Not an Acronym) configurable mission module prototypes

• 5 Multi Mission Payload - X systems in support of SOCAF

A member of U.S. Naval Special Warfare Task Unit Europe (NSWTU-E) provides cover during a raid with Cypriot army special forces in Cyprus, Sept. 28, 2021. Joint training in the Eastern Mediterranean is essential in maintaining interoperability and strong relationships with ally and partner nations, ensuring stability throughout the theater.

In FY21, the PMO transitioned two science and technology efforts capable of media manipulation to the Media Production Center (MPC) program of record. The NGLS-D Gen 2 has been tested to provide remote operation, enhancing operator safety and operational flexibility. The Fly Away Broadcast System v4 (Broadcast Dissemination Platform) requirements in staffing to provide a single Software Defined Radio core modularized into three variants, providing operators more employment flexibility with simultaneous multimode broadcast operations for FM/ TV and cellular. The MISO team also initiated an effort to modernize the MPC-Heavy’s servers, cameras, and studio infrastructure.

FIXED WING

From using Other Transaction Authority agreements (OTA) to demonstrate Armed Overwatch prototype platforms to integrated government and industry testing of the AC/MC-130Js, to quickly modifying the Airborne ISR fleet, the Program Executive Office (PEO) Fixed Wing continues to rapidly develop, test, field, and sustain critical capabilities to meet the ever-changing challenges USSOCOM SOF operators face.

• The AC-130J team delivered five of the latest Block 30 configured aircraft in FY21, including the first two J-model gunship deliveries to Cannon AFB, New Mexico, and initiated $80 million in contracts to modify 12 Block 20+ aircraft and bring the fleet to a common configuration.

• The AC-130J High Energy Laser team completed subsystem development and delivery of the beam controller, heat exchanger, batteries, and laser. Integration and test activities started at Naval Surface Warfare Center, Dahlgren in preparation for FY23 flight demonstrations.

• The Armed Overwatch Team awarded OTA agreements to conduct demonstrations of five prototype aircraft and identify near-production-ready platforms that meet operational requirements. The team conducted demonstrations and solicited industry for follow-on production proposals.

The Air Force Special Operations Command-owned C-145A Skytruck is primarily flown by Combat Aviation Advisor, or CAA, special air mobility aircrew as part of the Aviation Foreign Internal Defense (AvFID) program.

• The MC-130J team completed Capability Release (CR)-1 delivery by installing SOF-peculiar special mission systems (SMS), Electronic Warfare Bus, and defensive systems upgrades on two aircraft. PEO-FW Detachment-1 received two CR-2 modified aircraft for system testing.

• The Radio Frequency Countermeasures (RFCM) team completed system critical design and inducted the first AC-130J for installation. Compatibility testing demonstrated successful RFCM performance with the Silent Knight Radar.

• The AC/MC-130J Integrated Tactical Mission Systems team awarded a $99 million contract to field open architecture Next Generation Special Mission Processors (SMP) to the AC/MC-130J fleets and demonstrated the agile development framework to perform development, security, and operations (DevSecOps) with Amazon Web Services.

• The Silent Knight Radar (SKR) team awarded the commands’ first multi-year procurement contract to procure 97 SKRs, accelerating fielding and saving $100 million.

A CV-22B Osprey from the 21st Special Operations Squadron (SOS) flies low over the trees as it prepares to land during Exercise Resolute Dragon 21 at the Ojojihara Training Area, Japan, Dec. 9, 2021. The 21st SOS is specialized in the use of the CV-22B Osprey in conducting long-range infiltration, exfiltration, and resupply missions for special operations forces. The CV-22B is equipped with integrated threat countermeasures, terrain-following radar, infrared sensors, and other advanced avionics that make it a formidable power projection tool in adverse conditions and contested environments.

• The Group IV/V Medium Altitude Long Endurance Tactical (MQ-9 program) awarded a production contract for Dual Carriage Systems increasing lethality and preparing to integrate an open system architecture into the aircraft.

• The Long Endurance Aircraft (LEA) program continued to provide 24/7 “no blink” airborne ISR through award of a new contract.

• The Manned ISR team completed mission modifications and deployments with DHC-8 aircraft, and demonstrations of alternative precision navigation and under-the-weather capability with JAVA and U-28 aircraft, respectively.

• The AFSOC Non-Standard Aviation (NSAv) fleet of 20 C-146 aircraft provided training to aircrews and conducted 1,328 missions, flying 2,966 sorties and 6,674 hours while transporting 6,370 passengers and 1,091,916 pounds. NSAv Aircraft operated in/out of 101 different countries worldwide.

• As part of the Aviation Foreign Internal Defense (AvFID) program, AFSOC Combat Aviation Advisor personnel enabled host and partner nation support for air operations with five C-145 aircraft and three MC-208 armed ISR aircraft providing a total of 371 sorties.

• The C-27J team provided 3,650 flight hours during 5,297 jump and air drop sorties and delivered 42,900 jumpers while upgrading its fleet of seven aircraft in support of aerial delivery training.

• The Tech Insertion Remote Gunship (RG) team made significant progress toward a surrogate aircraft, ground-based demonstration of an automated flight deck in October 2021, and an airborne demonstration in FY2022.

• The MC-130J Amphibious Capability team completed a demonstration feasibility study that optimized the design and proved MC-130J amphibious capability is possible. They also teamed with Air Force Research Lab to begin demonstration activities through the use of digital design.

• The High Speed Vertical Takeoff/Landing (HSVTOL) team completed the study phase of an AFWERX challenge for rapid prototyping and supported a DARPA-led rotor fold mechanism kinematics study.

Key procurements in fiscal year 2021

• 2 MC-130J CR-2 modified aircraft

• 2 CV-22 production aircraft

• 23 Silent Knight Radars

• 11 CV-22 Block 20 Mission Computer Obsolescence Initiative modified aircraft

• 5 AC-130J aircraft

• 546 GBU-39B/B Laser Small Diameter Bombs

• 977 GBU-69/B Small Glide Munition

• 788 AGM-176A Griffin Missiles

MARITIME

Program Executive Office-Maritime consists of a team of six program management offices: Surface Systems, Undersea Systems, Naval Special Warfare (NSW), Undersea Special Mission Systems, SOF Combat Diving, and the Maritime Technology Office. The portfolio provides both surface and undersea maritime mobility platforms in various stages of development, production, and sustainment, as well as cuttingedge SOF combat diving equipment.

Special Warfare Combatant-Craft Crewmen assigned to a special boat team pilot a Combatant Craft Medium during training with the Abraham Lincoln Carrier Strike Group to practice and refine tactics that integrate Naval Special Warfare with fleet operations.

In 2021, Maritime’s successes included delivery of the final Combatant Craft Medium and Combatant Craft Heavy, delivery of two Combatant Craft Light (CCL), delivery of one Small Class Unmanned Underwater Vehicle (UUV) System, completion of SEAL Delivery Vehicle (SDV) MK 11 host submarine interoperability testing, and the completion of Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) acoustic testing.

• The undersea portfolio consists of the Dry Deck Shelter (DDS), DCS, SDV, UUV, CCL, SOF Combat Diving (CD) program and the Undersea Craft Mission Equipment programs. The DDS program is a legacy system, with a joint USSOCOM-Navy modernization effort for one DDS to increase the payload capacity, add automation to the DDS pressurization and vent, flood and drain, and launch and recovery functions, with delivery back to NSW in the first quarter of FY22. Undersea Systems commenced developmental testing of DCS 1 in FY21 and continues testing into FY22. DCS 2 is in final assembly and test, and will be delivered in CY22. DCS 3 is nearing completion and on track to deliver in CY22. Pre-contract award activities for DCS Next are ongoing to provide a U.S. Navy submarine interoperable DCS capability. The SDV MK 8 program is in sustainment with a phased replacement by SDV MK 11, which continues in production with five SDV MK11s delivered, two scheduled for delivery in FY22, and the final three in FY23. CCL is undergoing operational assessment to support a full-rate production decision. One MK 18 Mod 1 UUV vehicle completed SOF-peculiar modifications, with the remaining vehicles from systems one and two undergoing modifications for delivery in FY22. SOF CD is a key commonality factor for special operations mobility and utilizes middle tier of acquisition authorities to prototype and field SOF diving equipment. The SOF CD program completed prototyping efforts of a hands-free diver propulsion system and continues procurement of diver navigation systems.

• The Surface Systems portfolio consists of the Combatant Craft Assault (CCA), Combatant Craft Medium (CCM), Combatant Craft Heavy (CCH), Special Operations Craft Riverine (SOCR), Combatant Craft Forward Looking Infrared (CCFLIR) systems (First and Second GEN), Combatant Craft Mission Equipment (CCME), and Maritime Precision Engagement (MPE) programs. The CCA program delivered hulls 33 and 34, and CCM program delivered its final production craft in FY21. A Foreign Military Sales (FMS) purchase of six additional CCM executed by NAVSEA will enhance maritime partnerships. The CCH program delivered its final production craft, SEALION III, in FY21; while SEALION II returned from a two-year deployment and underwent a post-deployment reset via PEO-SOFSA. The CCFLIR Second GEN system is installed on all CCH craft, on seven CCMs, and is planned for CCA with development of a new mast design. The MPE program was designated a middle tier of acquisition rapid prototyping effort in FY21 and will deliver its first prototype craft modification kit in FY22; the resultant system will provide NSW with a robust kinetic strike capability. The SOCR inventory of 24 craft remains operational and sustained through PEO-SOFSA.

The Ohio-class ballistic-missile submarine USS Georgia (SSGN 729), with a Dry Deck Shelter mounted near Souda Bay, Greece, during training with U.S. Marines from Task Force 61/2 (TF-61/2), conducting launch and recovery training with their combat rubber raiding craft, March 27, 2022.

Key deliveries/fieldings in fiscal year 2021:

• 2 CCA, 1 CCM, 1 CCH

• 25 CCFLIR 2nd GEN

• 1 UUV MK 18 Mod 1 system

• 2 Combatant Craft Light

An MH-6 Little Bird helicopter transports special operations forces during a capabilities demonstration as part of the 2018 International Special Operations Forces week in downtown Tampa, Florida, May 23, 2018.

ROTARY WING

Program Executive Office-Rotary Wing (RW) provides the Army Special Operations Aviation Command and 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR) (Airborne) with the most advanced RW aircraft, mission equipment, and training systems available. To accomplish this critical mission, PEO-RW focuses on readiness, advanced technologies, and life-cycle logistics to ensure the 160th SOAR maintains a comparative advantage against all potential threats. Along with the Technology Applications Program Office and Product Manager SOF Training Systems, PEO-RW resources strategies that support a three-part acquisition strategy of technology recapitalization, lethality and survivability upgrades, and planning for the future of SOF vertical lift. This strategy resulted in PEO-RW successfully executing more than $465 million to develop, deliver, and sustain the SOF helicopter fleet in FY21.

RW mobility includes the light assault/attack A/MH-6 Mission Enhanced Little Bird (MELB), medium assault MH-60M Blackhawk, and heavy assault MH-47G Chinook.

The MELB Program Management Office (PMO) completed the A/MH-6 Block 3.0 airworthiness and flight characteristics testing effort and began induction of Block R airframe shells and performance kits, with expected deliveries in late FY22. The program office continued support for Block 3.0 configuration management and modifications and upgrades. The MH-60M PMO continued aircraft deliveries of the Block 1 modification, which provides better situational awareness for aircrews, as well as increasing payload availability and reliability for SOF operators. The PMO has delivered 24 of 72 Block 1 aircraft to date. Additionally, the MH-60 PMO has initiated engineering and planning efforts for the Block 2 modification, which begins in FY27 and includes the replacement of a SOF-Peculiar YT706 engine with an Army-Common T901 Improved Turbine Engine in order to reduce P11 flying hour costs.

The MH-47G PMO awarded several major contracts supporting the MH-47G Block II program, to include negotiating a ~$500 million contract to procure up to 20 MH-47G Block II aircraft over two order years. In addition, the PMO achieved a significant milestone in September by delivering the first post-production modified Block II aircraft to the ramp of the 160th SOAR(A).

Mission Equipment (ME) provides SOF-unique capabilities; specifically, aircraft survivability, avionics, navigation, sensors, and weapons through various development, modification, and upgrade efforts. The ME efforts include the Degraded Visual Environment Pilotage System (DVEPS), Improved Rotary-wing Electro-Optical Sensor (IRES), Mission Processor Upgrades (MPU), Infrared Countermeasures (IRCM), Suite of Integrated Radio Frequency Countermeasures (SIRFC), and Tactical Mission Networking. The ME PMO developed and tested the DVEPS blended with digital terrain elevation data and fielded 17 Small Tactical Terminal (STT) radios (in collaboration w/PEO-C4). The ME team also partnered with the Silent Knight Radar team to initiate an effort to fuse sensor data from the disparate systems to provide enhanced situational awareness, with a demonstration planned for FY22.

An MH-47G Chinook helicopter from the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment approaches a beach from off shore during training near Hurlburt Field, Florida, Feb. 19, 2020.

PM Special Operations Forces Training Systems (PM STS) delivered the second A/MH-6 Light Assault/Attack Reconfigurable Combat Mission Simulator (CMS) to the 160th SOAR (A) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. The CMS is an exact replica of the AH/MH-6 Block 3.0 cockpit and incorporates state-of-the-art high-definition displays and aircraft panels matched with a shortened motion system that provides pitch, yaw, and vibration to replicate the Little Bird.

Significant Activities:

• Fielded 9 Block 1.0 MH-60Ms (increases performance with 105% rotor capability)

• Fielded 7 Block 2.2 A/MH-6Ms

• Fielded 1st MH-47G Block II aircraft to the 160th SOAR (A) ramp

• Negotiated Lot 4 & 5 production contract for up to 20 MH-47G Block II with significant performance upgrades

• Fielded 17 Small Tactical Terminal (STT) radios (in collaboration w/PEO-C4)

• Fielded 1 A/MH-6 Combat Mission Simulator.

SOF DIGITAL APPLICATIONS

The Program Executive Office for Special Operations Forces Digital Applications (PEO-SDA) experienced a successful year of transformation. The team effectively transitioned five acquisition programs to the software acquisition pathway (SwAP) this year, pushing down authorities to the lowest level, and obligated more than $150 million toward software capabilities for the operator. The Global Analytics Platform was the most recent program to successfully transition to PEO SDA, bringing with it a stellar team of acquisition professionals who are paving the way in agile software development. This year PEO-SDA also identified redundancies and made the decision to merge the Tactical Assault Kit and Special Operations Forces Mission Planning and Execution (TAK/SOMPE) programs into one PM office that will be headquartered at MacDill Air Force Base. Lastly, PEO-SDA split out the PM for Mission Support Systems into two PM offices, one focused on Mission Command and one focused on Intelligence Software, allowing greater focus on the operator for each capability.

• This year Mission Command Systems/Common Operational Picture (MCS/COP) became the first USSOCOM program to implement the new DOD SwAP. Through tightly coupled coordination with the user, MCS/COP is on track to deliver global situational awareness and JADC2 compliant software capabilities in FY22. The program office is using an iterative, agile, human-centered design process to define and develop software with high-impact mission outcomes.

• The Tactical Assault Kit (TAK) program fielded mobile situational awareness tools that had real impact to SOF and citizens across the country. TAK again aided joint security details at the Super Bowl in Los Angeles. TAK was also instrumental in a rescue of two lost hikers in New Mexico. As FY21 came to an end, PEO SDA made a strategic decision to make TAK the Common Operating Picture across the portfolio.

• In FY21, PEO SDA directed the Special Operations Mission Planning and Execution (SOMPE) program be transitioned from an ACAT III program to the planning phase of the SwAP under DODI 5000.87 Operation of the Software Acquisition Pathway. The program plans to transition to the execution phase in the third quarter of FY22, and will solicit from industry innovation and solutions that can be demonstrated during a three to five-month period and operationally fielded via the SwAP. Proposed solutions will target capability gaps or improve upon current capability. This effort will leverage modern software development methodologies such as agile software development, modern tools and techniques to include development security operations (DevSecOps) to support continuous engagement with the user and frequent fielding of operational capability to iteratively meet requirements.

Green Berets with the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne), catch air in their Mobility Vehicle 1.1 in their first lap of the Mint 400 on March 11, 2022, in Primm, Nevada. The annual American desert off-road race offers a unique venue for Green Berets to test their long-distance desert mobility across 200 miles of the Nevada desert.

• The USSOCOM VCDR approved the Special Operations Forces Digital Ecosystem (SOF DE) Information System Capability Development Documents (IS CDD), transferring capability sponsorship to the Command Data Office, laying the foundation for the enterprise solution for data. The SOF DE program transitioned to the software acquisition pathway and executed numerous actions in support of data dominance.

• The Global Analytics Platform (GAP) transitioned to the software acquisition pathway and deployed 83 capability upgrades, updates, implementations, or bug fixes. The GAP program has planned and prepared for the follow-on contract to continue providing talented data scientists, engineers, programmers, and analysts to support GAP missions.

• Distributed Common Ground/Surface System (DCGS) SOF Enterprise and All Source Information Fusion started the transition to implementing the new DOD SwAP. By mid-May 2022, the program will enter the execution phase, having delivered a signed user agreement and capability needs statement. Through tightly coupled coordination with the user, the program is on track to deliver new features, interoperability among disparate tools, and a user-friendly graphical user interface in FY22. The program office is using an iterative, agile, human-centered design process to define and develop software with high-impact intelligence packages that will feed the operational picture.

• DCGS-SGIP received authority to operate the Forcepoint High Speed Guard Special Purpose, which will allow the secure transfer of multiple data types from Unclassified to Secret networks, enabling real-time video streaming while providing unparalleled control and auditing in support of deployable/tactical full-motion video PED for NSWC. AFSOC is fully deployed with Pedestal on PlatformONE, giving analysts the ability to extract patterns, trends, and associations of objects/entities, and visualize the results very quickly in a number of different ways. Analysts can quantify many data points into digestible pattern of life visualizations, and produce textual summaries written by the machine based on larger sets of data, providing more “sense-made” curations of many data points.

• Special Operations Forces Preparation, Rehearsal, Execution and Planning (SOFPREP) delivered 704 Geocells of databases covering 245 individual target areas, including 27 short notice builds for SOF mission rehearsals.

• The Integrated Survey Program (ISP) initiated a commercial solutions opening to build a prototype solution that implements an agile software development methodology to provide an end-to-end collection, processing, and dissemination workflow in a geospatial-enabled software environment.

SOF WARRIOR

Program Executive Officer-SOF Warrior provides combat overmatch today and in the future for both counterterrorism and strategic competition. PEO SOF Warrior synchronizes acquisition planning and execution of a $1.8 million budget that involves a very diverse combat capability portfolio. The PEO achieves success by leading 10 direct-reporting Program Management Offices. During the past fiscal year, the PEO covered 476 programs, projects, and combat evaluations. Warfighting capabilities delivered include 51.5 million rounds of ammunition, munitions, demolitions; 29,125 weapons, accessories, lasers, and visual augmentation systems; 609 Multi-Mission Electronic Counter Measure Systems and kits; 228,618 operator survival/equipment items/CBRN/EOD items; 1,484 radios, SATCOM terminals, and ancillary equipment; 3,379 information technology automation devices and systems; 9,970 operator and medic kits; 486 ISR kits; 425 tactical vehicle platforms; 20 installation processing nodes; 18 CASEVAC kits; 12 maritime surface craft; 163 ground and air unmanned systems; and 75 Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) devices supporting active combat evaluations, including eight multi-modal Expeditionary Fixed Site (EFS) integrated systems.

• Program Manager (PM) Naval Special Warfare (NSW) Special Programs (SP) managed 13 diverse commodity areas, executing ~$408 million in procurement and ~$99 million in RDT&E for FY21. Throughout FY21, PM NSW-SP managed: two ACAT III programs of record (PoR); two middle tier acquisition efforts; nine projects; 27 combat evaluations; and two studies. PM NSW-SP fielded 417 small arms weapons; 1,000 force-on-force kits; 4.3 million rounds of small arms ammunition; 144,900 explosive devices; 300 scalable effects kinetic payloads; six submersible propulsion systems; 766 special mission equipment; 316 weapons mounted visual augmentation devices; 21 handheld visual augmentation devices; 12 maritime surface craft accepted; 634 pieces of C4I equipment; 26 ground mobility vehicles; and 85 unmanned systems. Of significance was the continued development of the precision strike and advanced maritime craft efforts.

• Program Manager (PM) for Family of Special Operations Vehicles (PM-FOSOV) managed and executed $349 million in FY21 across a portfolio of five programs featuring a fleet of 3,487 light, medium, heavy, and non-standard commercial vehicles (NSCVs), all supported with mechanics and field service representatives worldwide. The demand for ground mobility increased with the fielding of 167 Ground Mobility Vehicle (GMV) 1.1s and 204 NSCVs. PM-FOSOV conducted its first annual Ground Mobility Rodeo to gather operator feedback on potential technology insertion initiatives through industry. PM-FOSOV conducted an early user test on four purpose-built NSCV prototype vehicles to inform user requirements and a potential production contract. An initial operational test and evaluation was completed to assess the operational effectiveness and suitability of the Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle, MRZR-Alpha. PM-FOSOV awarded a contract for the design of two autonomous MRZR-Alpha prototype vehicles to be delivered in FY22. PM-FOSOV also awarded a contract to design and produce two diesel hybrid electric GMV 1.1 prototype vehicles with a scheduled delivery in FY22. A FOSOV capability based assessment through Johns Hopkins University, Applied Physics Laboratory was completed to identify gaps for modernization within the FOSOV portfolio that align with the National Defense Strategy, National Security Strategy and SOCOM Commander’s Planning Guidance.

• Program Manager (PM) for Sensitive Activities (PM-SA) executed $178 million ISO 121 acquisition activities enabling sensitive activities conducted by SOF units. The team acquired and delivered 2,400-plus intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems, special communication devices, physical and virtual special communications nodes, software capabilities, and information technology hardware items. PM-SA and SOF AT&L-KP received milestone decision authority (MDA) approval for a $475 million acquisition strategy to accelerate execution of SOF requirements. In addition, PM-SA competitively awarded an experimental transaction agreement (ETA) to facilitate rapid procurement of 1400plus end-items – closing a critical intelligence gap.

• Program Manager (PM) for Counter Proliferation (PM-CP) managed and executed ~ $113 million across a portfolio of three major lines of effort featuring Multi Mission Electronic Countermeasures (MM-ECM), counter unmanned systems (CUxS), and counter weapons of mass destruction. The team acquired and delivered 605 MM-ECM systems/kit, 25 CUxS devices, and 10,617 various operator kits that provide critical protection capabilities for globally deployed SOF. Specific accomplishments include: Support to three CUxS CMNS; successful completion of a multi-phased competitive other transaction authority (OTA) prototype for CUxS systems integration partner (SIP); award of production contract for Modi Special Application Module (SAM); Multi-Service and FMS Modi procurement of 333 systems, saving 45% per system across the enterprise; execution of 17 CUxS combat evaluations across SOF, leading to the development of a CDD; and trained more than 1500 personnel on ECM/CUxS.

• Program Manager (PM) for SOF Lethality (PM-SL) began fielding the Advanced Sniper Rifle to USASOC, achieving more than 56% of full operational capability. The team awarded a five-year, $182 million IDIQ contract for the Suppressed Upper Receiver Group, a $2 million IDIQ for a handgun suppressor, and $85 million across multiple contracts to acquire over 30 million rounds of ammunition, rockets, and explosive materials. Awarded a new $2.3 million procurement ISO a low-rate initial production of the .338 Norma Magnum multi-purpose round. Accelerated the acquisition and delivery of the SPIKE NLOS to MARSOC to conduct a combat evaluation of a system to inform the Ground Organic Precision Strike Echelon II-mounted capability gap. The team also completed safety certifications for HERO-120 in preparation for combat evaluations in FY22. Finally, the PM obligated $29.2 million to procure and support VAS equipment and fielded 718 handheld visual augmentation systems and 16,727 weapons accessories to SOF operators.

• Program Manager (PM) for Special Programs (PM-SP) managed 138 efforts (six programs, six projects, and 120 pre-program efforts) while executing 1,233 procurement actions and $694 million in investment and O&M funds. PM-SP provided rapid and focused capability-based acquisition, technology, and logistical services supporting the nation’s highest priority SOF. PM-SP initiated the Tactical Artificial Intelligence (AI) Program, focusing on AI for Small Unit Maneuver (AISUM). PM-SP continued testing of Counter-Integrated Air Defense System capabilities to provide layered capabilities in A2/AD environments. Work continues a wide field-of-view goggle with thermal imager and data display. It utilized an OTA to acquire a systems integration partner (SIP). Finally, PM-SP fielded an array of multi-functional SIGINT, EW, cyber sensors and delivered 75 Counter Unmanned Aerial Systems (CUAS) devices supporting active combat evaluations.

Pfc. Jaritt Louthan, a medical lab technician with 432nd Blood Support Detachment, 28th Combat Support Hospital, 44th Medical Brigade, re-hydrates freeze-dried plasma during an airdrop test Sept. 19, 2019 at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Jaritt was among the first few soldiers to test the durability of the plasma packaging by parachuting to collect data for possible future use on the battlefield.

PEO-SW teams received several SOFIC Acquisition Awards, including:

• Innovator Team Award: Artificial Intelligence for Small Unit Maneuver (AISUM) Team, PM-SP

• Maverick Team Award: Counter Proliferation (CP) Mobile Cellular Network (MCN) & Range Support Team

• Enabler Team Award: Modi Electronic Counter Measures (ECM) Special Application Module (SAM) Team

• Saver Team Award: Light Tactical All-Terrain Vehicle (LTATV) Team, PM-FOSOV

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (S&T)

Strategic Engagement (SE) continued to strengthen relationships and build the SOF network with Department of Defense and Department of Energy laboratories; federally funded research and development centers; university-affiliated research centers; academia; and industry to leverage and influence their larger efforts against U.S. Special Operations Command SOF AT&L and more specifically S&T priorities. Strategic Engagement’s processes seek to uncover new science and technologies, limit redundancies, gain efficiencies, and synchronize long-range future planning to enable SOF to maintain the operational advantage. SE continues to map, connect, and expand SOF human resources awareness and technical opportunity with academic consortium intern programs and partnerships, cooperative research and development agreement (CRADA) projects, and SOF-specific capstone collaboration.

S&T Futures executed three Innovation Foundry (IF) (design thinking) and three Rapid Capability Assessment (RCA) (technology road mapping) events. The outputs of the RCAs culminated in one Integrated Tech Sprint Demonstration. These events enabled the development of disruptive capabilities, potentially impacting USSOCOM mission sets for future SOF operators in a changing future operating environment. All events paired SOF warfighters with non-traditional engineers and scientists in government, industry, and academia across the U.S. to identify potential technology opportunities. Concept capability packages, white papers, experimental prototypes, and videos are available for key stakeholders.

CAPABILITY FOCUS AREAS (CFAs):

Biotechnologies/Human Interface:

• Completed a multi-year development effort for U.S.-sourced freeze-dried plasma system in a ruggedized container and successfully transferred the program to the Defense Health Agency and Navy for advanced development, and FDA approval.

• Continued several brain health baselining and imaging studies, to include: the Assessing and Tracking Tactical Forces initiative; ReBlast-2, a high-fidelity imaging effort correlating blast exposure and measurable physiological changes in the brain; and a joint pilot study with the Navy comparing SOF with blast exposure history to healthy controls.

• Established the Human Performance Research Advisory Group, a joint working group with voting representatives from each of the SOCOM components, JSOC, and Preservation of the Force and Family (POTFF) who identify research gaps and prioritize research investment for the five POTFF Domains (Physical, Cognitive, Psychological, Social and Family, and Spiritual).

Next-Generation Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance/ Tactically Relevant Situational Awareness (ISR/SA):

S&T continues to pursue advanced ISR/SA and intel systems development across all domains to give SOF the competitive advantage. Efforts ending in FY21 included a project demonstrating sensorbased X-ray-like visualization to augmented reality headsets from mobile sensors, a folded optics project that combined IR and EO image processing sensors in one small form-factor camera, two LPI/ LPD communications efforts, and a multi-sensor data fusion project.

New technology areas Next-Gen ISR/SA has begun to explore include distributed learning, smart-sensor networks, multi-data fusion, collaborative autonomy, and greater systems and data integration for dynamic, rapid, accurate decision-making.

Network and Data Management:

Supported the research and development priorities of the Commander, Acquisition Executive, and S&T Director for contested communications, cyber operations, and alternative navigation technologies, and incorporated artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) and edge computing technologies in support of these objectives.

Six new efforts were started, which address SOCOM research and development priorities and SOF technology opportunities. Five projects transitioned to the PEO/SOF units this past year.

Next-Generation Effects/Precision Strike:

Most kinetic project efforts closed or are in a closeout phase, which presents an opportunity to refocus the portfolio on non-kinetic effects to meet command modernization priorities and the S&T Director’s intent. Currently implementing this change by conducting studies and analysis with national labs, and doing concept generation and project definition with the S&T Futures team.

Next-Generation Mobility:

Continued multiple signature management efforts aimed at reduction of acoustic, visual, infrared/thermal, and electromagnetic signatures of various SOF systems.

Joint Acquisition Task Force (JATF), Hyper Enabled Operator (HEO):

The JATF develops, advances, and integrates technologies and capabilities to significantly improve the quality and speed of SOF Operator decision-making at the edge. The goal of the HEO effort is to achieve situational understanding and decision-making dominance across multiple domains to gain and maintain the initiative. The JATF core development areas are sensors and compute at the edge, architecture and software analytics, language translation, and SEEKER. The JATF completed transition of the Beyond-Line-of-Sight project to PEO-C4 in October 2021.

• Sensors and Compute at the Edge: JATF is developing sensor arrays for SOF teams to organically employ and collect data across their operational environments. This data, combined with artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) tools operating on scalable edge processors, will enable operators and small teams to better understand their operating environment across multiple domains, increasing force protection and enabling them to gain and maintain the initiative against strategic adversaries.

• Architecture and Software Analytics: JATF is developing a supporting architecture that will connect data, processors, and analytical tools in a manner that supports the seamless integration of developing technologies (sensors, CPU/GPUs, or artificial intelligence algorithms) over time. Additionally, the JATF is developing and integrating AI/ML tools tailored to answer SOF-specific operational questions and to augment traditional intelligence functions in order to reduce cognitive load and provide understanding of the local environment.

• Language Translation: JATF and mission partners are currently advancing the state of the art in voice-to-voice language translation of core, high-data languages disconnected from the cloud. The goal is to provide SOF teams with regional language capabilities on day one of any contingency operation with AI/ML tools capable of learning low-data languages needed within 30 days.

• SEEKER: A portable sensor array that can be worn by U.S. SOF or partner forces to expand the Internet of Things data-collection in the local environment. This organic, local, data-collection capability is augmented by AI/ML from the cloud, which provides operators with additional situational awareness into areas not easily accessed by U.S. forces. SEEKER data collection enables AI/ML tools to connect people to people, people to places, and people to things. The SEEKER transitioned from the JATF to PEO-SR in January 22.

Technical Experimentation (TE):

TE offers multiple venues and environments to rapidly assess, develop, counter, and exploit emerging capabilities to address immediate SOF needs. S&T conducted three formal TE events in 2021.The first was focused on small unmanned aerial systems and next generation ISR/ C4 technologies, with 46 experiments and 234 participants. The next was focused on sense through wall technology, and had 32 experiments and 116 participants. The third formal TE event focused on combat diving, with 40 experiments and 287 participants. The TE team also supported a military utility assessment of assault machine guns, with five weapon systems and 72 participants.

Small Business Innovation Research/Small Business Technology Transfer (SBIR/STTR):

Awarded 25 Phase I and 29 Phase II contracts.

USSOCOM collaborated with the Army, co-funding three projects, and the Air Force, co-funding four projects. Awarded more than $7.9 million to 15 small businesses utilizing the Pilot Program for Development of Technology-Enhanced Capabilities with Partnership Intermediaries authorized by FY20 Legislation. In FY 21, this pilot increased small business participation by 240%, reduced contracting time by approximately 68%, and decreased the time from initial award to prototype delivery by 42%. The pilot resulted in two Phase III awards completed 17 months from Phase I award and 11 months from Phase II award, decreasing the time to Phase III by 75% and 85%, respectively. Awarded 25 Phase I and 29 Phase II contracts.