SOCOM's Top 10 Tech Needs

By National Defense Staff

As the Pentagon puts renewed focus on preparing for great power competition, U.S. Special Operations Command is looking for new capabilities to support its warfighters. Ahead of NDIA’s Special Operations Forces Industry Conference, National Defense reached out to SOCOM and asked for a list of its top 10 technology needs. With its input — along with speeches and testimony by SOCOM officials — the magazine staff identified the Top 10 technology categories. They are listed in no particular order as: the tactical assault light operator suit (also known as TALOS or the Iron Man suit); assured communications; counter-UAS; biotechnology/human performance; precision strike; expeditionary ISR; signature management; expeditionary logistics; positioning, navigation and timing; and small arms.