On December 9, the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) issued a sources sought announcement as part of a market survey of Technologies for Automation/Optimized Search and Track Functions. Responses are due by 4:00 p.m. Eastern on January 23.
This sources sought notice seeks artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled technologies aimed at automating and optimizing search and track functions, particularly for electro-optical and infrared (EO/IR) sensors on Special Operations Forces (SOF) unique platforms such as the AC-130J Ghostrider. The goal is to enhance operation efficiency, reduce crew workload, and improve mission outcomes for a variety of crewed and uncrewed SOF platforms that use EO/IR sensors.
Respondents will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
- Innovative Platform- and Sensor-Agnostic Solutions
Technologies must demonstrate flexibility and adaptability across various systems and sensors integrated onto SOF platforms.
- Search and Track Functions
Technologies should leverage SOF platform EO/IR sensors to automate sensor control/operation to reduce crew workload. Search and track function for air-to-air targets is of special interest.
- Advanced Moving Target Indicators (MTI) and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR)
Solutions should include advanced capabilities for detecting and tracking moving targets and automatically recognizing targets to support SOF precision strike and surveillance missions in air, land, and sea domains.
- Computationally Efficient, Hardware-Lite, and/or Miniaturized Technologies
Solutions should prioritize computational efficiency, minimize hardware footprint, and be suitable for integration onto existing SOF systems.
- Open-Source Interfaces and Architecture
Compatibility with open-source frameworks and architectures is essential to ensure seamless integration with current and future SOF platform systems.
- Willingness to Work with Third Party Integrators and Software Developers
Respondents must be open to collaboration with third-party entities to facilitate integration and development of AI capabilities.
USSOCOM and AFSOC are open to receiving additional classified information about capabilities supporting mission system autonomy and reduced operator workload.
Review the USSOCOM and AFSOC search and track sources sought.
Source: SAM
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