1. S&T Main Focus Areas Linkages to 2018 NDS
UNCLASSIFIED
S&T Main Focus Areas Linkages to 2018 NDS
USSOCOM S&T MAIN FOCUS AREAS
2018 NATIONAL DEFENSE STRATEGY (NDS)
Tactically Relevant Situational Awareness and Understanding
Next Generation Identification and Characterization - comprehensive and verifiable location of targets across various sensor systems
Applicable in all environments – not just airborne assets in uncontested environments
Includes means to turn information into decision quality data – Artificial Intelligence (AI)/Machine Learning (ML)
Includes human-machine interface to make the data accessible and usable to all SOF echelons – operator through Tactical Operations Center (TOC) Commander
Strike diverse targets inside adversary air/missile defense networks… …include capabilities to enhance close combat lethality in complex terrain.
CDR, USSOCOM PRIORITIES
Win
Transform
People
…counter violent extremism, human trafficking, trans-national criminal activity, and illegal arms trade with limited outside assistance.
…resilient, survivable, federated networks and information ecosystems for tactical level up to strategic planning. …capabilities to gain and exploit information, deny competitors that same advantages…
Advanced Autonomous Systems. …military application of autonomy, AI, and ML…to gain competitive military advantages.
…resilient, survivable, federated networks and information ecosystems for tactical level up to strategic planning.
Communication and Navigation in All Environments
Global Positioning System (GPS) Denied – regardless of cause
Hostile, contested, and Crowded Electromagnetic Spectrum
Low Signature
…gain and maintain information superiority.
…forces that can deploy, survive, operate, maneuver, and regenerate in all domains while under attack.
Tailored Lethality
Counter-materiel & Counter-personnel
Incorporates scalability and reversibility
…strike diverse targets inside adversary air/missile defense networks …sharpen our competitive advantages and enhance our lethality.
Build a more lethal force. …include capabilities to enhance close combat lethality in complex terrain. …invest in modernization of key capabilities…
Biotechnologies
Understand and counter adversary Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)/terror/effect
Explore means to optimize SOF warfighter capability/performance throughout their career
…embracing new technology and techniques to counter competitors.
…degrade terrorist and WMD threats… …disrupting imminent terrorist and WMD threats.
New technologies include…biotechnology— the very technologies that ensure we will be able to fight and win the wars of the future.
UNCLASSIFIED
DISTRIBUTION A: APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE