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SOF

U.S. Soldiers assigned to the 125th Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, 25th Infantry Division, prepare and launch an unmanned surface vessel, during Exercise Balikatan 2026, in La Paz Sand Dunes, Laoag City, Philippines, Apr. 29, 2026. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Omarion Hall)

SOCOM looking to mount new ELINT capabilities on maritime drones

The command and the SOFWERX innovation hub are spearheading a new market research effort to see what industry has to offer.
A U.S. Soldier acting as an opposing force, or OPFOR, demonstrates drone capabilities during Exercise Deep Strike at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, April 25, 2026. Deep Strike integrates cutting-edge technologies, such as advanced unmanned systems, to ensure SOF maintains an operations advantage in contested environments. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. 1st Class Brandon Nelson)

SOCOM seeks ‘self-service’ synthetic data generation platform to boost drones’ computer vision

The tech could support the command's Unmanned Systems Autonomy and Interoperability (UxSAI) program.
A Soldier with 2nd Battalion, 20th Special Forces Group, 1st Special Forces Regiment, Mississippi Army National Guard, checks communications while conducting boat infiltration training during Southern Strike 2024 (SSTK), at NASA Stennis Space Center, Mississippi, April 17, 2024. SSTK is a large-scale, joint multinational combat exercise that allows soldiers across the United States and our international partners access to exceptional training. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Benjamin Tomlinson)

SOCOM seeks autonomous warfare proving ground

NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi was chosen as the host site for the initiative.
Marine Raiders with Fox Company, 2nd Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command, provides perimeter security, at an undisclosed location Dec. 16, 2025. (U.S. Marine Corps photos by Lance Cpl. Jared Saul)

‘Collaborative autonomy’ development not moving fast enough for SOCOM

“The ability to quickly integrate autonomous behaviors on multiple different platforms in multiple different domains, without it having to be specifically built for that platform, is something…
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U.S. East coast-based Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) conduct dive operations to increase maritime lethality during training off the coast of Key Largo, Florida, Feb. 18, 2025. Naval Special Warfare Group TWO produces, supports, and deploys the world’s most lethal maritime special operation forces to ensure the United States will deter and win wars. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Katie Cox)

SOCOM highlights 6 focus areas for naval capabilities modernization

Officials released a source-sought notice for the ANCHOR initiative.
Screenshot from a video of U.S. Marines with Expeditionary Operations Training Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force testing Marine-Build drones off the coast of Naval Base White Beach, Okinawa, Japan, March 22, 2026. The training was part of the EOTG Unmanned Systems Branch, which seeks to teach Marines in basic drone operations, capabilities, and assembly. (U.S. Marine Corps video by Cpl. Giovanni Navarrette)

A first, Marines launch FPV drone at unmanned vessel while aboard naval craft

Marines with III Expeditionary Operations Training Group out of Okinawa, Japan, designed the unmanned surface vessel themselves, officials said, then blew it up with a drone.
East-Coast-based U.S. Naval Special Warfare Operators (SEALs) participate in a special operations forces exercise off the coast of Fort Walton Beach, Florida, Nov. 3, 2022. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman Bailey Wyman)

CIA, SOCOM gearing up for rapid capability assessment with an eye toward ‘field-forward’ ops

Focus areas include advanced analytics, mapping building infrastructure, novel energy sources, data communications and exfiltration, and edge device optimization.
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