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Learn about the USSOCOM SBIR Program.

USSOCOM Mission & Vision

The United States Special Operations Command's (USSOCOM) mission, according to USSOCOM Strategy 2010, is to provide fully capable and enabled Special Operations Forces (SOF) to defend the Nation's interest in an environment characterized by irregular warfare. Additional tasks for USSOCOM under this mission, which are laid out by the Unified Command Plan – 2008, include, organizing, training and equipping SOF forces and synchronizing DoD planning for global operations against terrorist networks.

The vision for USSOCOM states that, success in the future will be defined by actions that develop, support and enable SOF capable of executing global distributed operations, within an environment characterized by irregular warfare and asymmetrical challenges. USSOF must be seamlessly integrated and enabled with capabilities from across the DoD and other USG agencies. To realize this vision, USSOCOM and USSOF must address three focus areas:

  • The Operator
  • The Capabilities, capacities and authorites
  • The Strategic credibility and influence

In the end, we can never forget that the force we field must remain the most competent, respected and effective small fighting force in the world. (USSOCOM Strategy 2010)

The USSOCOM SBIR program, as a component of the DoD SBIR Program's overall mission to leverage small business technology innovation for the Warfighter, is focused on providing funding for the development of advanced technology that provides increased capability for the SOF Warfighter.

USSOCOM needs and appreciates the efforts of all firms that propose innovative technologies to meet the unique technology requirements of the Special Operations Forces

Technology Area of Interest

  1. 1.

    SOF Warrior
  2. 2.

    Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR)
  3. 3.

    Command, Control Communications, and Computers (C4)
  4. 4.

    Weapons and Electronic Attack (EA)
  5. 5.

    Medical
  6. 6.

    Mobility
  7. 7.

    Power and Energy
  8. 8.

    Irregular Warfare (IW)
  9. 9.

    Cyberspace Operations (Attack, Defend, Exploit)

Success Stories

success
Miniature Quickscan Receiver
SOCOM04-004

Having a miniature package that enabled warfighters to monitor RF energy and wireless communications while on the move would have the potential to save lives during dangerous missions. In addition, the development of low power, miniature electronics has made it possible to offer body-worn solutions that were not previously possible. USSOCOM SBIR Topic 04-004 seeks to develop a rugged, inexpensive tactical monitoring system for Special Operations forces that will provide force protection.

The RF detection product could be used as soldiers enter an area to determine if there is any RF activity. If coupled with a direction-finding unit, the miniature receiver package will also provide the capability to acquire the direction of the threat. The system should be available in a configuration that allows it to be used with existing body-worn and manpack receiving systems. It should be a plug-and-play technology and must provide for future upgrades as technology and signals change. The system developed must be less that 75 cubic inches, have a low power consumption of less than 10W, use coherent LO ability and IF output for direction-finding applications, cover at least 30MHz to 3000MHz range, with an objective of 1MHZ to 1 GHz and have add-on modules for reception from the AM band and above 3GHz. The system must have at least 30MHz bandwidth, an 80dB dynamic range and have a target database of 2,000 entries. There is interest in the system in both a packaged form factor and in a card form factor.

In addition to its application in the war on terrorism, the system would have application to other military services, including the Marine Corps and the Army, as well as in law enforcement. The system could also be spun off to enable remote monitoring of assets in the commercial sector. A Phase III contract has been awarded for this product.

Key Technology Area: Sensors, Electronics and Electronic Warfare (primary); Battlespace Environments

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