SOCOMs Top 10 Tech Needs

SPECIAL OPERATIONS

SOCOM's Top 10 Tech Needs

5/21/2018
By National Defense Staff

Photos: Defense Dept.

As the Pentagon puts renewed focus on preparing for great power competition, U.S. Special Operations Command is looking for new capabilities to support its warfighters. Ahead of NDIA’s Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, National Defense reached out to SOCOM and asked for a list of its top 10 technology needs.

With its input — along with speeches and testimony by SOCOM officials — the magazine staff identified the Top 10 technology categories. They are listed in no particular order as: the tactical assault light operator suit (also known as TALOS or the Iron Man suit); assured communications; counter-UAS; biotechnology/human performance; precision strike; expeditionary ISR; signature management; expeditionary logistics; positioning, navigation and timing; and small arms.

In this special report, National Defense takes a closer look at each of these categories.

SOCOM Iron Man Suit Prototype Delayed a Year

Special Operations Command Beefing Up Communications

SOCOM Investing in New Tech to Counter Drones

SOCOM Tapping into Biotechnology

SOCOM Replenishing Precision-Guided Weapon Stockpiles

SOCOM Setting Records for Unmanned Systems Procurement

New Tools Wanted to Fill Signature Management Gaps

Commandos Need Lightweight, Energy Efficient Equipment

Special Operators Pursuing New Position, Navigation and Timing Capabilities

Special Ops Command Aims to Convert M4A1 Carbine

Topics: Robotics and Autonomous Systems, Special Operations, Special Operations-Low Intensity Conflict, Land Forces, Intelligence and Surveillance

Comments (1)

Re: SOCOM's Top 10 Tech Needs

"The complete kit includes the upper receiver and bump stock kits; tools required for the conversion; and an attachable light and sound reducing suppressor, according to the request for information released on FedBizOpps." "Bumpstock kits"? Really?

E Webb at 11:57 AM

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