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Special Operations

May 2021

SOFIC NEWS: SOCOM Boosting Offensive Electronic Warfare Investments

By Meredith Roaten
The Special Operations Command's top science and technology official said the command plans to double funding available for offensive electronic warfare weapons research.
Special Operations

May 2021

SOFIC NEWS: Industry, SOCOM Gearing Up for 'Armed Overwatch' Demo

By Jon Harper
Special Operations Command will soon put five industry offerings through their paces as it searches for a new “Armed Overwatch” aircraft to support commandos.
Aviation

May 2016

Special Operations Command to Test Directed Energy Weapon on Apache

By Yasmin Tadjdeh
"TAMPA, Fla. — Special Operations Command will test a laser weapon on an Apache helicopter this summer, said one official May 26. SOCOM's program executive office rotary wing is working alongside the Army’s project office for Apache Attack Helicopters to conduct a feasibility test this summer, said Col. John Vannoy, program manager for rotary wing.<br/>"
Special Operations

May 2016

Special Operations Command to Buy New Uniforms, Wearable Gear

By Jon Harper
Special Operations Command plans to acquire new uniforms and a suite of wearable technologies for its warfighters, a program official said May 25.
Aviation

May 2016

AFSOC Moves Forward on Plans to Equip AC-130J with Laser Weapon by 2020

By Yasmin Tadjdeh
Air Force Special Operations Command is on track to equip an AC-130J Ghostrider gunship with a laser weapon by the end of the decade, officials said May 25.
Robotics and Autonomous Systems

May 2016

Drones, Communications, Surveillance Technology on Special Operations Command's Wish List

By Yasmin Tadjdeh
Advanced unmanned aerial systems, big data analysis software and new communication tools are all on the wish list of Special Operations Command’s leaders.
Special Operations

April 2016

SOCOM Spending Data Shows Heavy Reliance on Private-Sector Services (UPDATED)

By Sandra I. Erwin
SOCOM Spending Data by Govini Shows Heavy Reliance on Private-Sector Services
Special Operations

January 2016

Special Ops Acquisition Official Promises More Openness, Industry Dialogue (Updated)

By Stew Magnuson
A Special Operations Command official Jan. 20 vowed to be more open with industry during its acquisitions processes.
Special Operations

August 2015

Special Operators Interested in ‘Motoped’

U.S. commandos are interested in a new dual-mode bike that that can be propelled by a motor or human peddling, said a member of the defense industry.
Special Operations

May 2015

SOCOM Engineers Examining Capability Tradeoffs of ‘Iron Man Suit’

By Allyson Versprille
TAMPA, Fla. – Engineers at U.S. Special Operations command are in the process of sorting through the tradeoffs between size, weight and power as they seek to develop a revolutionary tactical assault light operator suit, according to program officials.