Biotechnologies/Human Interface

Focuses on biotechnologies development efforts to support the SOF community and an expanded focus on optimizing the performance of SOF Operators (i.e., increase both physical and cognitive capability while mitigating the effects of stressors that degrade performance and health).

Human Interface seeks to integrate human considerations with and across all system elements, and is primarily concerned with designing human-machine interfaces consistent with the physical, cognitive, and sensory abilities of the SOF Operator in order to mitigate this burden.

Next Generation ISR/Tactically Relevant SA

Focuses on automated and persistent near-real-time data/information collection, processing, exploitation, and dissemination solutions, systems, and capabilities to include up and down cross-domain functionality enabling predictive analysis to augment SOF operators and analysts.

Increase and enhance SOF's ability to manage and understand threats and the environment, process multiple data and communications inputs for optimized decision making, and support rapid, on-the-move ability to learn and communicate knowledge across a mission stakeholder team to search, locate and process High Value Targets.

Network and Data Management

Focuses on utilizing disruptively new and enhanced existing technologies to transform networks and data management techniques required to facilitate the Hyper-Enabled Operator concept in the Future Operating Environment (FOE). The FOE will encompass an increasingly contested and dynamic electromagnetic spectrum and will require a comprehensive approach in order for SOF to effectively operate in.

Technology areas of interest are tactical cloud and edge computing; cognitive multispectral communications; non-Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) Position, Navigation, and Timing; and Integrated cyber operations.

Next Generation Effects/Precision Strike

Focus on advanced technology concepts and materials associated with the application of effects from non-lethal through overmatching lethality. These technologies may include, Electronic Warfare (EW), Directed Energy (DE), kinetic weapons, munitions, devices and fire control systems. The major developmental goal is a standalone effects system which gives an operator or platform the ability to tailor the effects directed onto a target, ranging from incapacitation up through and including scalable effects, allowing for a wider range of non-kinetic and/or kinetic effects on the enemy without increasing the logistical burden on a small SOF formation.

The major developmental goal is a standalone effects system which gives an operator or platform the ability to tailor the effects directed onto a target, ranging from incapacitation up through and including scalable effects, allowing for a wider range of non-kinetic and/or kinetic effects on the enemy without increasing the logistical burden on a small SOF formation.

JATF

Focuses on technologies to deliver cognitive overmatch to SOF Operators working at the edge in austere, contested, and denied environments.

Such technologies will enable SOF Operators to intuitively use information made available by next generation sensors, networks, computing and communication systems to rapidly build situation awareness; make timely, well-informed decisions; and take actions inside an adversary’s ability to react.

The physical and logistical footprints of these technologies must be small enough to permit their use without compromising Operators’ speed, agility, and stealth. Please see https://www.socom.mil/st/Pages/JATF.aspx

Next Generation Mobility

Focuses on technologies that provide the SOF Operator with improved and versatile mobility capabilities in ground, air and maritime operating environments.

Solutions for signature reduction in visual, infrared, radio frequency, and acoustics for currently fielded and future systems.

Advanced technologies which provide multispectral signature reduction for personnel and platforms while minimizing the size, weight and power requirements.