The Pentagon began a major expansion of U.S. special operations forces two years ago in order to boost military capabilities in unconventional warfare.
Contractors may wonder whether the upsurge in personnel will lead to increased purchases of new high-tech equipment for SOF units, particularly in areas such as intelligence, reconnaissance and surveillance; portable energy sources; and communications systems. But no such purchases are planned for the foreseeable future, says U.S. Special Operations Command.
According to SOCOM’s technical industry liaison officer, who is responsible for dealing with contractors, the command has no immediate needs for these technologies. “ISR, power and energy, and communications are areas the command is always looking for innovative ideas, but there are no specific emerging requirements right now,” wrote Kenneth McGraw, a SOCOM spokesman, in response to questions from National Defense about the command’s technology needs.