Special Forces in Focus Special Report Hide
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Leonardo set for BriteCloud 55-T tests despite COVID complications
Leonardo’s US electronics division plans to test the latest variant of its BriteCloud expendable active decoy (EAD), which is designed to equip large fixed-wing military …
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VIDEO: Aviation and SOF operations
As the contemporary operating environment demands more of special forces, so requirements are growing and widening for specially equipped aircraft. From supporting ground forces to …
Land Warfare
HMT Extenda Mk2 joins Canadian NGFV tests
DEW Engineering and Development and Supacat have submitted their High Mobility Transporter (HMT) for the voluntary industry vehicle demonstration of the Next Generation Fighting Vehicle …
Special Operations
No more gold nuggets as SSE delivers decreasing returns
After nearly two decades of continuous combat operations in counter-terror and counter-violent extremist organisation environments, US special operations planners are seeing a decreasing return on …
Special Operations
SOF identifies logistics R&D priorities
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has developed a list of R&D; priorities to facilitate expeditionary logistics operations across future tactical environments. Several priority categories were …
Special Operations
Software acquisition rises in importance for USSOCOM
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) will officially stand up a new Program Executive Office (PEO) on 1 June to support programmes of record with software …
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Naval Warfare
SOF reaches underwater mobility milestones
15th May 2020
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM) are in the process of achieving several milestones for both ‘wet’ and ‘dry’ submersible …
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Special Operations
SOF stresses lifecycle affordability for new low-cost UAS platform
14th May 2020
SOF planners in the US are exploring the possibilities of supplementing the current fleet of UAS with a commercial platform that may offer lower lifecycle …
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Special Operations
Special forces need tools to fight ‘wars on the horizon’, says USSOCOM chief
13th May 2020
The Commanding General of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has highlighted how SOF must be suitably equipped to handle a trio of ‘wars on the …
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Special Operations
Efforts to enhance SOF lethality focus on six areas
13th May 2020
Speaking at this week’s virtual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (vSOFIC), James Smith, Acquisition Executive for United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), highlighted six specific …
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Defence Notes
Disruption is the name of the game, says vSOFIC keynote speaker
12th May 2020
The virtual incarnation of the annual Special Operations Forces Industry Conference (vSOFIC) began on 11 May with a keynote address on "Innovation and Disruptive Technologies" …
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Special Operations
AFSOC to procure additional A-29 Super Tucano
12th May 2020
USAF Special Operations Command (AFSOC) is to procure an additional A-29 Super Tucano from Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC). The aircraft will be used for Combat …
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Naval Warfare
EDA kicks off underwater diver project
9th May 2020
Naval forces in Bulgaria, France and Greece are set to benefit from an upgrade in underwater diver capabilities, after the European Defence Agency (EDA) published …
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Special Operations
SOF seeks integration help to counter unmanned aircraft
8th May 2020
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) is seeking industry white papers for its C-UAS Systems Integration Partner (CUxS SIP) requirement. In an RfI published on 17 April, USSOCOM …
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Special Operations
Dry Combat Submersible needs a transporter
8th May 2020
US Naval Special Warfare Command, as a component of US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM), is seeking a transportation device to support the mobility requirements of …
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Special Operations
USSOCOM seeks industry engagement with Hyper Enabled Operator
8th May 2020
The most recent Broad Agency Announcement (BAA) from US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) focuses on development of the Hyper Enabled Operator (HEO) concept. The BAA, …
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Special Operations
C-SOCC begins training to support NATO Response Force
7th May 2020
Despite the ongoing COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, SOF elements from across the Composite Special Operations Component Command (C-SOCC) have initiated joint training as they build up …
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Special Operations
Dutch lift lid on Takuba plans
7th May 2020
The Netherlands’ Special Operations Command (NLD SOCOM) has disclosed to Shephard its planned contribution to Task Force Takuba - a European Combined Joint Special Operations …
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Special Operations
Israeli anti-tunnel expertise attracts US interest
6th May 2020
Israel is continuing to offer US security authorities the benefit of its military experience in detecting subterranean tunnels dug by terrorists, Shephard has learned. The …
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Uncrewed Vehicles
THeMIS UGV finishes stint in Mali
5th May 2020
Milrem Robotics confirmed on 5 May that its THeMIS UGV has completed its first deployment to Mali as part of Operation Barkhane with the Estonian …
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Naval Warfare
US special forces receive Dry Combat Submersible
22nd April 2020
US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) has accepted the first Dry Combat Submersible (DCS) from Lockheed Martin with a Lithium-ion Fault Tolerant (LiFT) battery system from …
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Digital Battlespace
HII to perform analytical services for USSOCOM
17th April 2020
Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII) has secured a $22 million contract as part of the SOCOM-Wide Mission Support-A (SWMS-A) contract. It allows for the provision of …
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Special Operations
MMP makes its mark in Mali
17th April 2020
The French Army has disclosed details regarding the use of MBDA’s Missile Moyenne Portée (MMP) land combat missile system on operations in West Africa. Speaking …
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Special Operations
Study calls for more flexibility from US special forces on CT operations
14th April 2020
Counter-terrorism (CT) operations conducted by special operations forces (SOF) must require ‘more than just the application of military power’, according to a report by the …
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Uncrewed Vehicles
CTTSO embraces counter-drone capabilities
7th April 2020
Reporting to the US Assistant Secretary of Defense Special Operations/Low-Intensity Conflict (ASD SO/LIC), the Combating Terrorism Technical Support Office (CTTSO) is tasked with identifying and developing …
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Special Operations
Denmark to provide EH101s for Task Force Takuba
6th April 2020
Denmark will provide an undisclosed number of EH101 helicopters as its main contribution to a multinational task force to bolster security in the Sahel, Shephard has learned. …