International Operations

USSOCOM SOF AT&L International Operations Office collaborates with partner nations and industry partners to develop and field Special Operations-peculiar capabilities. Considering validated operational requirements, equipment modernization, as well as technology and interoperability challenges, the office's objective is to synchronize U.S. and partner nation efforts through synergistic combination of collective technical experience, talent, and technology-industry base resources to provide the world's best capability for our respective Special Operations Forces (SOF). SOF AT&L International Operations achieves these objectives through five lines of operation described below:

Cooperative Capability Development: In coordination with Office of the Under-Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment (OUSD [A&S]) - International Cooperation, SOF AT&L currently executes a series of shared development agreements with partner nations. Through Capability Development Working Groups that include Soldier Systems; Maritime (Surface and Subsurface); and Command, Control, Computers, Communications, and Intelligence (C4I), activities include information and equipment exchanges, technical experimentation, collaborative development, operational interoperability evaluations, and comparative testing projects supporting the SOF mission spectrum. International Operations has also partnered with other DoD organizations, such as Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO), to leverage their international agreements for capability development with other countries. For additional information on CTTSO, visit http://www.cttso.gov/

Foreign Military Sales/Direct Commercial Sales: USSOCOM SOF AT&L International Operations works with the Service Implementing Agencies and USSOCOM staff elements to coordinate and execute Government to Government agreements to transfer defense articles and services in the form of Foreign Military Sales (FMS) and Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) for Special Operations-Peculiar (SO-P) items. FMS/DCS is a fundamental tool of U.S. foreign policy and the International Operations Office is the primary point of contact for all requests for information, formal Letters of Request (LOR), and pre-LOR case planning assigned to SOF AT&L and as appropriate, assembles a team of technical experts, program managers, and case managers to address each issue.

Coalition Warfare Program: As SOF AT&L's point of contact for the OUSD (A&S) Coalition Warfare Program (CWP), International Operations assists in preparing CWP proposals to initiate cooperative RDT&E projects of mutual interest with foreign partners. CWP leverages U.S. and foreign investments to conduct cooperative RDT&E projects with foreign partners to support Defense Department's goals of collaboratively addressing strategic technology gaps; developing interoperability solutions; and strengthening allied defense partnerships. For details, visit http://www.acq.osd.mil/ic/cwp.html

Foreign Comparative Test Program: As SOF AT&L's point of contact for OSD’s Comparative Technology Office (OSD-CTO), SOF AT&L International Operations manages the congressionally-mandated Foreign Comparative Testing (FCT) RDT&E program in coordination with OSD-CTO and Services. By means of a partner nation teaming construct, FCT supports international cooperation between U.S. and foreign companies through test and evaluation of mature foreign materiel. FCT program scouts foreign technologies that could address known SOF capability gaps or increase global SOF interoperability. FCT can augment funding for test and fielding of mature defense technologies that have potential to meet near-term warfighter requirements. https://cto.acqcenter.com/osd/portal.nsf/Start?ReadForm.

Support to the USSOCOM Foreign Disclosure Process: The SOF AT&L International Operations provides direct support to USSOCOM’s Foreign Disclosure Process via embedded, trained and certified Foreign Disclosure officers. Several personnel assigned to the International Operations Office have the authority to perform FDO functions for foreign disclosure issues germane to SOF AT&L.

If you are interested in learning more about these programs, need assistance on Technology Transfer issues, or help in preparing a CWP or FCT proposal for submission, contact SOF AT&L International Operations at 813-826-3141.

https://www.socom.mil/SOF-ATL/Pages/icd.aspx