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