USSOCOM_BAAST_2020_Amendment 6_Final_(20240924).pdf

UNCLASSIFIED

30 November 2024

SPECIAL OPERATIONS FORCES ACQUISITION, TECHNOLOGY, AND LOGISTICS

DIRECTORATE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (SOF AT&L‐ST)

BROAD AGENCY ANNOUNCEMENT

USSOCOM‐BAAST‐2020, Amendment 6

FOR

TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT AND ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPMENT

1.0 Introduction:

United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), Special Operations Forces Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics (SOF AT&L), Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T), transformed the BAA infrastructure to better align with the USSOCOM Commander’s strategic priorities and vision. As such, the S&T Directorate will continue to evolve its investment strategy by focusing on SOF modernization. These will include broader disruptive technology1 that meet the demands of the strategic vision and Future Operating Environment (FOE). USSOCOM will continue making some investments in Special Operations Forces (SOF) enhancements in the programs of record.

2.0 General:

2.1 Agency: United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM)

2.2 Program Office: Science and Technology Directorate (SOF AT&L‐ST)

2.3 BAA Number: USSOCOM‐BAAST‐2020

2.4 BAA Title: SOF AT&L‐ST

2.5 Points of Contact (POCs):

Contracting Officer: baast20@socom.mil Attention: Michael Longdon (michael.longdon@socom.mil)

Technical POC: baast20@socom.mil

3.0 Closing Date: Unless amended, this opportunity will remain as an open‐ended announcement from the date of posting through 31 December 2030. White papers may be submitted at any time during this 5‐year period subject to the submission process described in paragraph 5.7 of this BAA.

USSOCOM, SOF AT&L‐ST reserves the right to review submissions (White Papers/Quad Charts) at any point throughout this open‐ended Broad Agency Announcement.

The Government may amend or update the technical capability areas and request a separate call for white papers at any time during the active period for this announcement.

1 Advanced technologies tend to be significant “game improvers,” disruptive technologies tend to be “game changers”.

4.0 Technology Areas of Interest:

SOF operates across the continuum of crisis and conflict, spanning all domains, including space and cyber. It will be at the forefront of U.S. efforts to confront emerging realities where opponents may possess overmatching capabilities. The new “normal” for SOF will be to operate in communication contested environments, under threat of targeting by high‐end military capabilities, including Weapons of Mass Destruction, where ubiquitous surveillance is routine, and information is weaponized. The FOE is a world of “Convergence”: the point where the gap between non‐state and state actor capabilities diminishes and the threat to force and mission success increases significantly. Core SOF missions such as Unconventional/Irregular Warfare, Military Information Support Operations, Direct Action, Counterterrorism, Security Force Assistance, Counter Proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction, and more are expected to remain key to SOF operations; however, the operational environment in which these missions will be executed is changing in accordance with global themes and trends. SOF missions will not significantly change, but how they are executed and the environment in which they are conducted is, and will continue, to evolve. SOF will be empowered by technologies that enable Tactics, Techniques and Procedures to build and retain access and placement, as well as enable partner force capabilities.

To permit SOF success in such a complex and dynamic environment, S&T seeks to gain information advantage to hyper‐enable the force across all mission sets. The Hyper‐Enabled Force is SOF empowered by technologies and information systems that accelerate tactical decision making by increasing situational awareness, reducing cognitive workload, and simplifying mission‐ appropriate information sharing. No single technology will independently make Operators hyper‐ enabled. Instead, Operators will become hyper‐enabled through the integration of information and technologies. More specifically, the Hyper‐Enabled Force will have technologies that permit the persistent, near real‐time collection of data; the rapid, automated distillation of that data into mission relevant information; the dissemination of that information to the personnel who require or can best use it; the presentation of that information in easily understandable formats and user‐ friendly modalities; the ability to use that information to select, direct, and implement tailorable, non‐lethal and lethal effects to best meet mission objectives; all the while maintaining freedom of movement and tactical invisibility. Thus, S&T seeks white papers in the areas of Battlespace Awareness, Multi‐Domain Communications & Computing, Human Interface, Scalable Precision Effects, and Emplacement and Access to build the Hyper‐Enabled Force (see diagram below for a depiction of the Hyper‐Enabled Force concept.

USSOCOM is interested in receiving white papers from all responsible sources (reference FAR 9.1) from industry, academia, individuals, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers, National Laboratories, and Government laboratories capable of pursuing, developing, and evolving disruptive capabilities that must be made available to the SOF Operator within the next five to seven years to achieve mission success in the FOE.

USSOCOM employs capabilities in all domains: terrestrial, maritime, air, space, human and cyber.

SOF personnel place a premium on technologies that are small, lightweight, rugged, modular, multi‐use, easy to use, have low power consumption, require minimum maintenance, open architectures, and designed for operation in extreme environments at the edge of operations.

Technology designs should consider comprehensive signature management approaches enabling low visibility and clandestine capabilities.

This BAA will sub‐divide each technology capability area into two parts (disruptive technologies and SOF enhancements). The request for disruptive technologies is focused on peer/near‐peer adversary technologies, new technologies that displace existing technology, and modernization of the SOF capabilities in all domains. These topics are contained within Sections 4.1 thru 4.5.

Secondly, this BAA includes a request for technology insertion and SOF enhancements (also referred to as incremental improvements) aimed at supporting the SOF AT&L Program Executive Offices (PEOs) with advanced technology that addresses areas within their programs of record.

These SOF enhancements are found in each technology focus area Section 4.1 thru 4.5. SOF enhancement technologies will be identified during initial proposal screening and subsequently evaluated separately by the requisite PEO and program office. More specifics on the evaluation of disruptive technologies and SOF enhancements are found in Section 6.0.

4.1 Battlespace Awareness Capability Area: USSOCOM S&T's Battlespace Awareness capability area is focused on automated and persistent near‐ real‐time data/information collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions, systems, and capabilities to include up and down cross‐domain functionality enabling predictive analysis to augment SOF Operators and analysts. Focus is on increasing and enhancing SOF's ability to manage and understand threats and the environment, process multiple data and communications inputs for optimized decision making, and support rapid, on‐the‐move ability to learn and communicate knowledge across a mission stakeholder team to search, locate and process High Value Targets. Sought solutions will be required to integrate, interoperate, and communicate with other systems and solutions to provide capabilities across domains, spectra, and decision‐making echelons from the tactical edge to senior Commanders and inform national and strategic systems.

SOF are interested in technologies that measure the physical characteristics of a given field of view, day, and night, and in all weather conditions. Mission elements that could be enhanced include advanced situational awareness, mission/operations, terrain mapping (including subterranean/undersea/urban/interior), change detection, and event forensics, to include facial recognition, and locating objects under vegetation.

4.1.1 Battlespace Awareness Disruptive Technology Areas Include:

4.1.1.1 Collaborative Autonomy: SOF is interested in improving Battlespace Awareness by leveraging systems where multiple Autonomous or Remote‐controlled Systems (ARCS) share data in real time, allowing them to work together without constant human intervention (“collaborative autonomy”). Battlespace data collected by individual ARCS elements and collaboratively shared through data transport services should inform ARCS automated tasking, positioning, and execution activities to meet overall SOF mission intent. Data collection systems integrated with ARCS, without degradation of ARCS range and endurance, and able to seamlessly operate with crewed systems to reduce operator burden, reliance on full‐time high‐speed communications link, and decision loop cycle time are especially of interest to SOF. Data Collection systems should include modular and open system (MOSA) software and modular (internal/external payload) hardware designs allowing quick install/removal options for multi‐mission use. Documentation on component sourcing, established supply chain and software code sources is of special interest to

SOF.

4.1.1.2 Autonomy‐Enabled ISR/Battlefield Situational Awareness (SA)Data Collection: SOF is interested in collecting audio, visual (day & night), and radio frequency data across all domains, from seabed to low‐earth orbit. Data collection systems suitable for small autonomous & remote‐ controlled vehicles (air, ground, sea‐surface, and undersea) and unattended placed systems are of interest. Data Collection capabilities from outside of contested and denied areas are also especially interesting to SOF. These data collection systems must have secure data‐at‐rest protections and connect to secure data transport services with data in transit protections such as zero‐trust communications links to increase automated detection, identification, and localization capabilities to support SA of dismounted personnel. These networking solution searches must explore the entire electromagnetic spectrum to identify communication capabilities, which are difficult to defeat. SOF is also interested in data collection systems able to edge process, disseminate, and query information in operating environments unfavorable to the utilization of traditional networks and computer servers. because bandwidth for information backhaul to computational centers and infrastructures is not regularly available to small teams. SOF desires computing hardware and software applications for small uncrewed systems optimized for computing at the edge, to support the organization and fusion of data collected from small uncrewed systems using multiple intelligence disciplines to recognize patterns and anomalies from various sensor types is especially interesting. Furthermore, SOF desires data collection systems enabling augmented reality (AR) capabilities to provide warfighters with visual cues to identify and discern targets, foes, and friendly forces. Documentation on component sourcing, established supply chain and software code sources is of special interest to SOF.

4.1.1.3 Autonomy‐Enabled Data Processing & Exploiting: SOF is interested in processing and exploiting audio, day & night visual, and radio frequency data received from the data collection systems described previously in paragraph 4.1.1.2. Processing & exploitation systems providing predictive analytics and response recommendations based on real‐time data updates are especially interesting to SOF. Candidate processing and exploitation systems should provide battlespace geographic orientation and use easily understood language and audio/visual symbology. These processing and exploitation systems should use standard software interfaces allowing the cybersecurity testing necessary for integration onto SOF Information networks and must be able to connect to secure data transport services. Data storage and management techniques enhancing the predictive reliability, speed, and maintenance of processing and exploiting systems are also interesting to SOF.

4.1.2 Battlespace Awareness SOF Enhancement Technology Areas Include:

4.1.2.1 Sensors: This area covers various persistent surveillance systems and sub‐systems also referred to as unattended ground sensor (UGS) systems, Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Target Acquisition (RSTA) tactical still and video surveillance systems, and indication and warning systems.

Technologies that provide additional capabilities, reduce SWaP, increase flexibility in aerial, ground, underground, and maritime/riparian environments of the following:

• Integrate with existing SOF systems and based on open architectures.

• Alert, highlight, communicate, and process at the tactical edge.

• Man‐portable discrete intrusion detection systems.

• Accommodate multiple wavelengths in small COTS applications (still imagery focus)

• Swappable/modular capabilities

• Algorithms for fusing data from sensors, data sources, networks, to reduce false alarms.

• Algorithms for location, classification, characterization, and identification of items of interest

• Detection via handheld and/or hands‐free (cell phone size) electronic scan of small devices, such as sim cards, SD cards, or similar items on a person

• Detection of laser energy while carrying/using weapons

• Utilizing Light Detection and Ranging (LIDAR) and Laser Detection and Ranging (LADAR) technology systems capable of significant resolution at high altitude while simultaneously providing real‐time processing capability fused into mapping and video.

• Detection of optical glass at ranges beyond 3 Km in a ruggedized, low SWaP form factor.

• Capable of digitally relaying basic target positional information upon target detection.

4.1.2.2 Signals intelligence (SIGINT): These areas concentrate on RF communications intercept and location. Technologies of interest should provide or improve the capability to Detect, Intercept and Locate RF Signals of Interest (SOI) of all types at frequencies ranging from HF to EHF. Platforms and operational environments can be on land, air, sea, or space, manned or unmanned, and manpack based. Technologies of interest are:

Detect:

o Improved reception sensitivity o Small multiband antennas and antenna arrays for detection of RF SOIs at enhanced standoff ranges.

o Detection of SOI while maintaining signature management.

o Improved filtering to reject out of band emitters.

o Tools to analyze unknown signals, to include modulation recognition, signal identification and specific emitter identification.

o Detection of electronic devices in a room, vehicle, etc. using a handheld device

Intercept:

o Improved analytical tools that automate steps in the SIGINT workflow.

o Advanced signal recording, bandwidth, and capacity o Multi‐function, small form factor sensors capable of concurrently detecting and intercepting multiple SOIs on one sensor.

o Capabilities and technologies focused towards emerging commercial wireless standards.

Locate:

o Improved Direction‐Finding (DF) accuracy and ability to separate emitters in a cochannel environment.

o Ability to collect and locate Frequency Agile (FA) SOIs.

o Geolocation in GPS‐denied environments o Provide Geolocation data to the user via the Android Tactical Assault Kit (ATAK)

Common Operational Picture

4.1.2.3 Electromagnetic Warfare (EW): This area concentrates on detecting, direction finding, and classifying threats in the electromagnetic spectrum. Technologies of interest are:

• Ruggedized sensors configured for dismounted/backpackable form factor.

• Improved energy efficiency to operate on organic battery power.

• Ability to passively detect, classify and locate signals ranging from 3kHz beyond 40 GHz.

• Integrated with existing commercial, military, and custom signal analysis packages.

• Ability to send detection data back to higher order analysis tools.

• Modular subcomponents to support replacement, repair, and sustainment.

4.1.2.4 Technical Support Systems: This area concentrates on items critical to mission success but is often not part of the initial design. Technologies of interest should improve performance, reduce Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP), and enhance ease of use. Technologies of interest are:

Unmanned/robotic/collaborative autonomous emplacement of unattended sensors in denied areas.

Emplacement of sensors via air, land, and water Avoid detection by adversaries.

Orientation of sensor, if required 3‐dimensional RF modeling software to enhance mission planning and sensor emplacement relative to topological earth database.

4.1.2.5 Data Exfil: Technologies that provide additional data transfer capabilities/speed/bandwidths, reduce SWaP, increase flexibility in aerial, ground, underground, and maritime/riparian communication environments.

Multiband, micro‐sized devices capable of transmitting and receiving RF over distances greater than currently achieved.

New technologies that provide long distance data transfers in miniature packages, low signature, and are multipath resilient.

Data transport devices designed to perform in restricted propagation environments.

Data transport technologies to maximize limited bandwidth (e.g., compression, transmission technologies) Quantum and laser communications technologies

4.1.2.6 Biometrics: SOF are in search of tactical physical, behavioral, physiological, and/or electromagnetic signatures matching capability. System(s) should quickly conduct tactical biometrics matching worldwide from a distance of 1 Km or more. The system(s) need the ability to both store and upload data, operate both while stationary or moving, and be capable of supporting both overt and clandestine operations. The systems should employ advanced analytical software and sensor fusion designs to ingest multiple data inputs including but not limited to iris, facial, anatomical measures, gestures, gait, heartbeat, electromagnetic signals, deoxyribonucleic acid, and microbiome recognition. Software designs should consider counter‐ countermeasures intended to mask one’s identity from automated mechanisms. Software applications should have the ability to operate on smart phones. Other options for stand‐off biometrics include a distance up to 8 Ft with the ability to quickly ingest physical, behavioral, physiological, and/or electromagnetic signatures the Operator can use to measure response rates, provide a confidence factor, and assist in determining overall campaign effectiveness.

Software designs should consider non‐intrusive, innovative concepts with visualization capabilities. Downloaded and saved data should come with further enrichment capabilities such as data tagging, user comments, and synchronization of similar Additionally, Biometrics covers technologies used to collect, analyze, and distribute various physical parameters that can be used to identify personnel. There is particular interest in technologies with a small form factor that provides the capability to rapidly (< 2 min) identify personnel, reduce false alarm rates and/or offer novel approaches at short to long distances in all environmental conditions.

Technologies of interest are:

Touchless fingerprint capture at near and extended distances for matching against authoritative databases and on‐board watch lists

Facial and/or iris capture for matching against authoritative databases and on‐board watch lists

Rapid, portable handheld DNA collection and processing for matching against authoritative databases and on‐board watch lists

Multi‐modal biometric enrollment and matching device; must include a combination of an iris scanner, facial recognition, DNA, and fingerprint capture and processing.

4.1.2.7 Forensics: This area covers the collection and processing of both physical and electronic information obtained from target locations either forward or within a deployed, controlled‐ environment shelter. In the short term, there is a need to process media devices on or near target locations and enable rapid analysis and target development. There is also a focus on updating equipment that can provide greater fidelity of chemicals of interest forward including but not limited to illicit narcotics, explosives and pre‐cursors.

Media and cell phone exploitation capability:

o Exploit multiple cellular or operating systems without limitations.

o Conduct cable less exploitation of devices such as cell phones, tablets, laptops, computers, IoT devices, etc.

o Simultaneously collect (image) multiple target devices o Conduct a simultaneous automated search and triage to extract data and metadata based on multiple user‐defined parameters, including, but not restricted to, text, still image and video, time, location, and hashtag value, and compare to on‐board watch lists.

o Conduct Optical character recognition (OCR), Optical word recognition (OWR), intelligent character recognition (ICR), intelligent word recognition (IWR), and Convolutional Neural Networks and Image Classification of exploited data.

o Create an Operator‐configurable output that is interoperable with standard open‐ source Application Programming Interfaces (API) and integrate into current Intelligence Community analytical and mission command APIs.

o The device should save all captured data in the event of interruption (rapid disconnect) o Innovative transmission or transfer of large images and data pages over the internet.

o Conduct non‐destructive exploitation and basic analysis of commercial off the shelf (COTS) and non‐standard autonomous small UNCREWED Multi‐ domain Systems (sUMS) that operate in air, land, and/or sea to include removable media and/or internal controllers.

Document exploitation capability:

o Document exploitation, to include rapid scan and translation of foreign language via on‐board disconnected OCR and OWR; small form factor devices such as a tablet, or mobile device.

Chemical exploitation capability:

o Chemical analysis capabilities that are deployable to austere and power constrained environments o Operated in a shelter and semi temperature‐controlled environment.

o Detect and provide fidelity for organic and inorganic materials.

o Trace evidence collection, identification, and processing o Small form‐factor devices such as a tablet, or mobile device

4.1.2.8 TTL Systems, Sensors, or Tags: This area covers Tagging, Tracking and Locating (TTL) technologies that can be discreetly concealed in objects and/or vehicles. Technologies of interest should be optimized to operate on extremely low SWaP constraints, have reliable and redundant geolocation capabilities, survive exploitation attempts, support waveform diversity, and support long duration missions. Additional features and or capabilities in support of TTL mission to include:

TTL sensors/systems/tags capable of employing Micro‐Electro‐Mechanical systems (MEMS) Inertial Navigation Systems (INS) dynamically for periods when Radio‐Frequency‐ dependent geolocation is degraded, denied or non‐existent.

Capabilities that exploit personal electronic devices for TTL without risk of discovery and compromise

Capabilities that exploit organic vehicle/vessel electronic systems for TTL that provide persistent and reliable geolocation.

Small form factor (AA battery size) energy harvesting technologies for trickle charge of sensors.

Hight density small size and weight new energy sources to enable longer mission durations.

Broadband directional and omni‐directional micro‐size antenna solutions capable of a wide useable bandwidth, to include tunable antennas, in the Ultra High Frequencies (UHF) range and beyond.

Frequency agile tags/sensors able to operate at various frequency ranges while maintaining comparable SWaP

Tag on a chip (IC) solution capable of sticker applications Sensors/Tags capable of employing signals of opportunity dynamically for periods when

GPS is degraded, denied, or non‐existent in a low SWaP form factor.

o Systems/Sensors/Tags that make use of various Global Navigation Satellite Systems

(GNSS) constellations simultaneously in low SWaP form factor.

TTL systems/sensors/tags that have robotic characteristics to enable automation of emplacement and repositioning mid operation.

TTL systems/sensors/tags with undetectable electromagnetic radiation signatures Capabilities to discretely leverage existing close‐circuit television security systems, public safety systems, SmartCity technologies, or other ubiquitous sensors or systems for TTL.

New and Novel non‐traditional TTL capabilities not limited to the RF spectrum such as optical taggant, big data analytics, cyber surveillance capabilities, or other means of tracking a person, vehicle, vessel, or activity.

4.1.2.9 Non‐Radio Frequency Tagging, Tracking and Locating (TTL): Across the spectrum of conflict SOF require the ability to track a person or vehicle without the use of traditional electronic emitters, or other means that can be detected, to continue monitoring after losing contact with the subject.

The tag on a person or vehicle must be undetectable by electromagnetic sensing devices, but accessible for near‐real‐time updates. The tag must not emit an RF signature while in use. The user should be able to retrieve or remotely interrogate the tag. The tag must be adaptable to fit numerous Concept of Operations (CONOPs) requirements for power and concealment. Conversely, SOF needs awareness and means to counter adversarial TTL systems.

4.1.2.10 Enhanced Color Night Vision: SOF is seeking head‐worn and/or weapon mounted and small modular cameras for color night vision capability. This capability will aid Operators in rapid and efficient target identification, discrimination of targets and host nation partners, and differentiation of various laser colors/wavelengths for command and control. This capability would provide SOF Operators and Aviators greater clarity during transition to NVG’s during End Evening Nautical Twilight (EENT) giving them the tactical advantage over our enemies and provide the ability to detect and classify activity (personnel, animal, vehicle, etc.) at range in a ground ISR mission during a moonless night. The selective colorization of image intensifiers will enhance visual acuity in extreme lighting conditions, differentiate laser emissions, and improve identification/recognition of persons, signals, and modern LED lights. Proposed specifications per optical channel may include:

FOV: 40 degrees (+ ‐ 2 degrees) Latency: Below 4ms Refresh rate: Faster than 240 Hz frame rate Power consumption: No more than 150 milliwatts at peak power, generally 120 or less (no more than 40 milliamps at 3v) Depth of field: Improve over currently fielded equipment by 15% Starlight sensitivity: Equal to or better than the current fielded Generation 3 image intensifiers. Operational threshold: 2x10‐6 foot candles Color feature: Colorization of the optical channel is preferable to consistent colorization.

Color accuracy: Primary colors must be accurately perceived by the Operator. Unique colorization of various friendly and enemy laser wavelengths is desired.

Performance during colorization: Must not be degraded below 72 lp/mm, SNR 33, 2376

FOM, Resolution during colorization: 1.3 cycles per milli‐radian.

Power consumption during colorization: Desired battery life of at least one operational period of darkness

With respect to Ground ISR, variants derived from developed sensors allow enhanced night vision camera developments that include using modular camera system to include interchangeable lenses for medium to long range surveillance.

4.1.2.11 ISR Robotics: Robotics are becoming ubiquitous on the modern battlefield at the lowest echelons. SOF teams of the future will continue to deploy robotics to assist in mission execution and will require dramatic reductions in cost to achieve acceptable losses in increasingly contested environments.

SOF are seeking approaches and solutions to significantly reduce the cost of contemporary battlefield robotics through reduced sensor count, reduced processor power, and lower mass while retaining similar capability for obstacle avoidance and payload.

Increased heterogeneity and number of robotics on the battlefield leads to issues with tasking, operator overload, and deconfliction. Simultaneously, increasing challenges to the electromagnetic spectrum require fewer RF control link emissions from SOF teams.

Traditional command and control links for robotics must be replaced by distributed dispatcher – agent task focused strategies for robotic control.

o SOF are seeking architectures and software capable of deconflicting, tasking, and reporting data from multiple heterogeneous robots while minimizing RF emissions from any central or peripheral node.

Communications have always served as an exploitable link in warfare, particularly radio frequency communications. Most robotic systems include an RF control link, and these links will be increasingly contested on tomorrow’s battlefields. In spite of this, most robotic systems are commercial derivatives and come equipped with little, if any, RF spectrum awareness as spectrum is licensed commercially.

o SOF are seeking low cost, disposable, easily integrated components to enable ubiquitous equipping of robotics with basic RF spectrum awareness of common robotic radio bands.

Robotic emplacement of sensors is a requirement for the future ISR environment. To be successful in certain environments the platforms need to avoid detection while transporting the sensor to its required location.

o SOF are seeking robotic platforms that use technology to either avoid detection or blend into the environment (biomimicry) while emplacing sensors.

o SOF are seeking long range robotic emplacement in all domains and possible domain transitions in route. Platforms that can function in multiple domains and/or platforms that can carry other platforms to extend range or avoid detection are desired.

4.1.2.12 AI/ML Scene Optimization for Digital Imagers: Digital Weapon Sights (thermal, low‐light sensors, fused) are becoming more prevalent as technology progresses and miniaturizes. These systems often have multiple different digital settings that the operator must change to optimize the displayed scene for the specific situation. Shifting this optimization task to AI/ML algorithms that could be contained within the processor module of future weapon sights would enable SOF operators to gain situational awareness quicker & increase operational capability in dynamic situations. Potential settings for optimization could include:

Gain Level Focus HDR Settings Blend ratios (for fused sights)

4.2 Multi‐Domain Communications & Computing Capability Area: USSOCOM must be able to utilize disruptively new and enhanced existing technologies to transform networks and data management techniques required to facilitate the HEO concept in the FOE. The FOE will encompass an increasingly contested and dynamic electromagnetic spectrum and will require an innovative and comprehensive approach for SOF to effectively operate while remaining resilient and secure.

4.2.1 Multi‐Domain Communications & Computing Disruptive Technology Areas Include:

4.2.1.1 Edge computing: SOF seeks technology solutions that provide advanced computing to support localized SOF teams in degraded, disconnected, contested or anti‐access/ area denial (A2/AD) communications environments. Data collection, management, storage, and dissemination has become very complex. Edge computing hardware solutions need to be able to process data from multiple sources and sensors to process and analyze such data to further enable SOF Operators. Edge computing solutions miniaturized to a very small form factor (i.e.

‐ individual chips) will allow for body‐worn hardware components supporting either individual or multiple functions in a low‐power consumption manner. Edge compute devices must facilitate multiple varieties of evolving analytical software and toolset processing needs. Those applications must include the fusing of multiple disparate data sources. The output must enable the SOF end user with the right data, at the right time, and at the right location.

Technologies with the following attributes are preferred:

Provide low‐power consumption computing relative to existing, Commercial‐Off‐ The‐Shelf (COTS) CPU/GPU hardware.

Support software applications that provide advanced data analytics and visualization tools that reduce Operator cognitive load.

Provide ability to compute and derive insights at multiple points within a tactical network prior to reach‐back to enterprise‐level network connection.

Support networking of multiple body‐worn computing chips that can fuse multiple data types.

The ability to conduct face‐to‐face engagement with non‐English speaking individuals with a wearable system that automatically changes the words spoken into the desired language and transversely converts the foreign language back to English without network connectivity.

Innovative cognitive radios that employ AI/ML/Deep Learning to intelligently sense spectrum, adjust transmit power, and “roam” when in an Electronic Warfare cluttered environment with very little user interaction. Radios need to integrate with military hardware owned and carried by SOF operators. Software should be available as a plugin or add on as required.

Provide enhanced Commercial Solutions for Classified and Data at Rest capabilities.

Support containerized applications.

4.2.1.2 Non‐Global Positioning Systems (GPS) Positioning, Navigating and Timing: SOF requires the ability to maintain accurate Position, Navigation and Timing (PNT) in areas where satellite Global Positioning System (GPS) services and other radio navigation signals are unavailable or untrusted. Effective navigation and situational awareness in space, in the air, on land or in sea‐ based environments are critical to SOF. SOF seeks alternative modalities for achieving enhanced and Assured PNT (APNT) services. SOF operates in areas of incidental or deliberate GPS interference or denial. Incidental denial includes GPS services lost due to movement into subterranean areas (caves, basements, bunkers) or signal‐blocking environments (urban canyon, parking garage, buildings, and dense urban areas). Deliberate denial includes electromagnetically contested environments. SOF are interested in countering the proliferation of advanced adversary Global Positioning System (GPS) jamming and spoofing capabilities. Capabilities should consider a multimodal approach that combines multiple PNT methods to determine the actual result. Capabilities should consider advances in Enhanced‐PNT devices for mobile platforms that provide options for distributed networks of cooperative devices such as: celestial attributes, multi‐platform‐based beacons/triangulation (SUAS platforms and services), common timing, and the detection of jammers or other attack vectors. Such capabilities should have cognitive/automated attributes to assure seamless transition when interruptions or disruptions occur. Technologies with the following attributes are preferred:

Solutions must be applicable to multiple platforms including, but not limited to: Maritime, Fixed Wing, Rotary Wing, tactical vehicles, dismounted forces, and all groups of Unmanned Systems (UAS), etc.

Alternate Timing solutions should consist of the following:

o Rb Oscillator that can hold 1us at 1 week.

o Dimensions: 3.65” x 5.25” x 2.13” in or smaller, small is preferred o Weight (± 3%) 3.72 lbs. Less weight is preferred.

o Power (Steady State @ 25 °C) 20 W o Digital Adjustment Resolution (RAFS‐C) ≤1.0E‐15 o Operating Temperature (at Baseplate): ‐20 to +60 °C o Storage Temperature Range ‐40 to +75 °C

Solution accuracy must be equal to or greater than the following:

o Position error (xy) < 1% distance travelled.

o Position error (z) < 2% distance travelled.

o Heading error < 20 degrees/hr

4.2.1.3 Cyber Defense Effects: The interconnectivity of global data through the neural networking of IoTs has presented a unique opportunity for adversaries to become innovative in leveraging typical and atypical cyber exploits and vulnerabilities. SOF requires survivable (resilient and secure) cyber defensive technologies enhanced to strategically defend and defeat both non‐kinetic and kinetic cyber effects. While non‐kinetic effects are most often associated with cyber, e.g., non‐violent attacks, disruption of service, and/or the loss of data, kinetic effects can be the resultant of non‐kinetic cyber‐ attacks. The SOF need for an optimizing and configurable cyber defense is based on the emerging utilization of cyber kinetic effects, which can cause injury or death, direct or indirect physical damage, or an environmental impact that could harm human health (e.g., air emissions, chemical spills).

Technologies with the following attributes are preferred:

Cyber Detection, Tampering, Prevention Cyber Evaluations Data Poisoning Prevention Protection of AI Systems and ML Models Homomorphic and Polymorphic Cryptography Blockchain in Data Management Generative AI Software Development Topological Anomaly Detection (TAD) Quantum‐Influenced Commercial Encryption Crypto Modernization

4.2.1.3.1 Security at the Edge: The operational SOF environment requires edge computing devices prioritizing fight‐thru capabilities, where functionality, connectivity, and security are all essential. Edge computing devices can take any form and endpoints are everywhere due to the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices. SOF is seeking cyber‐survivable (cybersecurity and cyber resilient) capabilities at the edge device endpoint, cloud, and network. Technologies with the following attributes are preferred:

Semi or Full Autonomy in Functionality and Performance Elimination or Mitigation of Vulnerabilities and Exploits Platform‐agnostic

4.2.1.3.2 Automated Cyber Infrastructure Assessment: SOF is interested in establishing and/or modernizing technologies that underpin and enable software applications that operationalize data for the warfighter.

Dedicated platform, services to support operational, intelligence‐focused, and data science applications.

Modernized authentication and authorization cyber infrastructure.

Centralized application framework to support a common series of SOF‐Specific tools.

Embedded (Non‐ Software as a Service (SaaS)/Platform as a Service (PaaS)) Automation of Cyber Maturity, Software Development Process Maturity, and Supply Chain Hardening.

4.2.1.3.3 AI/ML Capabilities: SOF is seeking various cyber defense technology solutions comprising of some or all the following attributes:

IoT Systems and Sensors Agnostic Algorithms IoT Systems and Sensors Integration and Optimization of AI/ML capabilities without Jeopardizing Functionality and Performance Supply Chain Data Analytics and Management Machine and Deep Learning Data Transmission between Systems and/or Sensors Data Security at the Tactical Edge

4.2.2 Multi‐Domain Communications & Computing SOF Enhancement (Incremental) Technology Areas Include:

4.2.2.1 Information Systems: Technologies concentrate on exascale and zettascale compute processing and exploitation of intelligence and information data for global situational awareness and decision support to commanders at all echelons. Software applications will be deployed in a loosely coupled, open architecture that separates display and user interactions from data preparation, analytics, and algorithmic processing. Technologies should provide new capabilities via Application Programming Interface (API) processing of all sources of stored and streaming data. Areas of interest include:

Connecting strategic and tactical Special Operations Forces commanders via near real‐ time collaboration leveraging advanced fused analytics, auto‐correlation across joint functions, and warfighting domains

Application of industry open standards, data quality and data management sufficient to execute advanced computational artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms for shared situational awareness and military decision making.

Fusion of real and synthetic data streams enabled by advanced algorithmic processing of multi‐dimensional data visualize, collaborate, and act on unsynchronized and/or synchronized information in support of planning, rehearsal, and execution.

Data interchange for metadata, user generated content, and associated data structures and semantic representations to enable interoperable ingest, export, and exploitation by other designated information system or sub‐systems.

Network Infrastructure Automation (NIA) utilities and tools.

Local communication applications and capabilities for air‐gapped networks.

4.2.2.2 Data Visualization: Multi‐modal interfaces and associated information presentation designs that permit SOF Operators to receive and intuitively understand networked information from communication, computing, and sensor systems. Physical aspects of the technology must not interfere with the Operator’s native ability to see, hear, or feel the local environment nor constrain the Operator’s ability to move.

4.2.2.3 Obfuscated Data Transport Systems/Architectures: This area covers secure communications transport networks used to route information, worldwide, to desired locations in a manner that takes full advantage of the trends in commercially available networks to obscure the originating source and final destination from third‐party discovery. Technologies of interest would provide networks constructed potentially using a combination of co‐location sites, public telecommunications service providers, and public cloud service providers and incorporate threat countermeasures.

4.2.2.4 Group 1 UAS Payloads: This area covers the ability for SOF to send and receive messages via a group 1 UAS in urban and/or rural environments. This small UAS should include payloads for the following capabilities:

Radio broadcast (FM) Television broadcast (analog/digital) Cellular (GSM/LTE/5G) Non‐RF communications Internet of Things Loudspeaker Sonic projection Air‐drop capability Electronic warfare/ electronic attack Long‐term viability either with solar panels or other energy source Holographic projection capability Secure transmissions (Type 1 encryption or NSA accepted substitute) Beyond Line of Site tactical data links, voice and data communications relays for austere environments (also applies to Group 2 UAS)

4.2.2.5 All‐Terrain Terrestrial Platform: This area should focus on payloads similar to the group 1 UAS but with the ability to travel on the ground through all land terrains. Specifically, the all‐ terrain platform should be able to provide several capabilities to SOF:

Radio broadcast (FM) Television broadcast (analog/digital) Cellular (GSM/LTE/5G) Non‐RF communications Internet of Things Loudspeaker Sonic projection Air‐drop capability Electronic warfare/ electronic attack Long‐term viability either with solar panels or other energy source Holographic projection capability Secure data transmission (Type 1 encryption or NSA accepted substitute)

4.2.2.6 Low‐Visibility Communications: This product line covers hardware and software solutions to provide low visibility team communication and situational awareness capabilities.

Technologies of interest would provide:

The ability to have two‐way obfuscated communications between SOF personnel and allied personnel.

Allow more diverse infrastructure employments beyond those just found in US/Western industrialized countries including low‐bandwidth and high‐latency disadvantaged communications channels.

Disassociation of user signatures End‐to‐End Type 1 encryption or NSA accepted substitute.

4.2.2.7 5G Communications: Advancements in commercial data transport (5G/6G and beyond) is important to SOF because it offers higher performance and additional capabilities, particularly for data‐driven applications and for machine‐to‐machine communication. SOF must have access to a 5G (and beyond) defense industrial base that provides trustworthy technologies.

It is also important that SOF have access to trustworthy technologies at the lower end of the value chain, specifically in the 5G Radio Access Network (RAN) and 5G Core. SOF seeks radio frequency (RF) technologies including millimeter wave systems, as well as dynamic spectrum utilization capabilities. SOF also seeks networking technologies in both the RAN and 5G Core, with an emphasis on open architectures and virtualization approaches which leverage U.S. industry expertise. Potential solutions should include:

Operations across all 5G spectrum bands, including the contiguous spectrum available at high frequencies above 24 GHz in the millimeter wave bands (mmW)

How to control RF spectrum signatures, reduce adversary targeting Techniques to identify, track, and mitigate threats and vulnerabilities.

Provide a zero‐trust model for 5G.

Modernization of electromagnetic battle management tools for command and control Enhanced Mobile Broadband (eMBB) – higher quality and rich content services to multiple users with full mobility.

Low Latency (>= 10x less than 4G) Massive Machine‐to‐Machine Communications – massive scale automation through widespread sensor networks and multiple connected devices; sensor data from the Internet of Things (IoT)

Data rates above 500Mbits/second 100x number of connected devices per unit area (compared with 4G LTE) Ability to fallback to 4G if needed.

4.2.2.8 Enhanced High Frequency (HF) and Satellite Communications: Significant advances in HF radio technologies as alternatives to traditional voice Satellite Communications (SATCOM) or Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) capabilities in RF contested expeditionary environments.

These technologies would be integrated to support both Reconnaissance Surveillance Target Acquisition (RSTA), air assets (helicopter and fixed wing), and SOF mission sets.

4.2.2.9 Satellite Communications on the Move: This area should focus on the reduced size, weight, and power to conduct reliable satellite communications on various types of mobile platforms while extending enterprise capabilities to the individual operator while in transit and on the objective. Technologies of interest would provide:

Beyond Line of Site (BLOS) small form factor SATCOM terminals LPI/LPD/LPX waveforms Video transcoding

4.3 Scalable Precision Effects Capability Area

Introduction: USSOCOM seeks to study, design, develop and demonstrate advanced technology concepts and materials associated with the application of effects from non‐lethal through non‐ kinetic effects, and overmatching lethality. These technologies may include, non‐kinetic effects, directed energy (DE), electromagnetic warfare (EW), tactical offensive cyber effects, Military Information Support Operations (MISO), and targeting enhancements for precision strike capabilities. The major developmental goal is a standalone effects system which gives an Operator or platform the ability to tailor the effects directed onto a target, ranging from incapacitation up through and including scalable effects, allowing for a wider range of non‐kinetic effects on adversarial targets and infrastructure without increasing the logistical burden on a small SOF formation at the edge or during clandestine activities.

4.3.1 Scalable Precision Effects Disruptive Technology Areas Include:

4.3.1.1. Non‐Traditional/Non‐Kinetic Effects: USSOCOM Directorate of S&T is seeking to develop the next generation of non‐kinetic effects capabilities. These next generation capabilities will be focused on potential SOF specific targets during peer/near peer engagements, encompassing all phases and levels of conflict. The immediate goal is to bound the problem by conducting a comprehensive analysis of potential SOF targets and their vulnerabilities to emerging, non‐ traditional/non‐kinetic technologies and then determine the ability to leverage these new technologies to effectively deny, degrade, disrupt, deceive, or destroy adversarial targets and infrastructure.

4.3.1.2. Directed Energy and Electromagnetic Warfare: Directed energy technologies for delivering non‐kinetic scalable effects on a multitude of hard and soft targets. Offensive electronic warfare payloads with overmatching target effectiveness at tactically and operationally relevant ranges. Solutions can encompass mounted, dismounted, or other ways of delivering DE and EW effects for small SOF formations at the edge of operation or clandestinely. SOF is interested in capabilities to disrupt adversary Electronic Warfare jamming while remaining undetected.

4.3.1.3. Tactical Offensive Cyber Effects: A cyber capability that is available at the tactical edge and operator portable, that can provide situational awareness and exploit capabilities of and on electronic systems and networks.

Cyber platforms with the capability to provide digital and physical situational awareness in connected environments through utilization of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, networks, and systems.

Cyber applications capable of tracking and exploiting targeted mobile electronics, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems, and IoT devices.

Cyber payloads with deny, disrupt, degrade, or destroy capabilities that can be employed to both networked and air gapped computer devices and systems.

Systems should be able to be employed by SOF Operators with relative ease and short training cycles at the edge of operations or clandestinely.

4.3.1.4. Military Information Support Operations (MISO): MISO technologies for influence operations and communication disruption to facilitate cyber enhanced campaigns and shape operational environments at the tactical edge and operational levels.

Provide a next generation capability to collect disparate data through public and open‐ source information streams such as social media, local media, print, audio,…