USSOCOM Innovation Foundry Event (IF5)
10-12 March 2020
Request to Attend Deadline Closed on 13 February
U.S. Citizens Only
On 10-12 March, SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM’s Directorate of Science and Technology, will host the Fifth Innovation Foundry Event (IF5). The objective is to bring together Special Forces Operators and Subject Matter Experts to assist USSOCOM in discerning future capability areas for tech exploration for Special Operations Forces (SOF) in their conduct of Unconventional Warfare (UW). The focus of the event is the impacts of Space, Cyber Space and the Electro-Magnetic Spectrum (EMS) on the mission set. IF5 will scope these future technology-based capabilities in the time frame of 7-15 years, utilizing design thinking to explore concepts and capabilities that could be used to conduct missions described in USSOCOM’s Operating Concept 2030.
Why Should You Participate?
The event will be a compelling opportunity for the leading minds in Industry, Academia, and Government, as well as Subject Matter Experts in Electronic Warfare, non-traditional Space, Space lift and logistics and C4ISR to better decompose and influence the future needs of SOF and its technology investments. SOCOM has also used Innovation Foundries to build key relationships with local and regional entrepreneurs and technology developers.
Methodology
Attendees will work as teams focused on the following concept areas:
- Develop future concepts related to SOF disruption or destruction of a peer adversary’s terrestrial-based space assets. Additionally, develop Space C4ISR capabilities needed to enable a tactical advantage for SOF Operators in support of an Unconventional Warfare (UW) operation under a peer adversary’s influence.
- Enable SOF tactical and operational advantage while conducting UW in contested environments and denied areas.
- Teams will identify 1) What solutions would allow for SOF disruption or destruction of enemy space assets in contested environments and denied areas, and 2) What C4ISR capabilities would enable SOF to gain an advantage in a high-tech, low-tech or no-tech environment. The Facilitation Team will define current and projected limitations and allow teams to innovate novel solutions and ways to overcome the challenges defined in the scenario.
“The scenarios were sophisticated and intentionally difficult in order to drive new and creative approaches to the problem sets.” —RDML Rodriguez (NSWC Deputy), IF3
Event Overview
Phase I – 23 January to 12 February – Submissions Open: Space, Cyber Space and Electro-Magnetic Spectrum (C4ISR) Subject Matter Experts and visionaries from Industry, Laboratory and Academic fields will request to attend the IF5 Event by submitting a CV below NLT 12 February 2020.
Phase II – 12 February to 19 February – SME Selection: The Future’s Team from the Directorate of Science and Technology will downselect 50 participants to attend the IF5 event. Selected participants will be notified via e-mail o/a 19 February.
Phase III – 10 March to 12 March – Innovation Foundry 5 Event: During the event, selected participants will collaborate and ideate with fellow Subject Matter Experts, the S&T Future’s Team and SOF Operators on the concept areas above.
Tentative Agenda
10 March
0800-0900: Arrival & Check-In
0900-0955: Welcome Aboard/FOC Brief
0955-1015: Break
1015-1130: Ideation Scenario
1130-1315: Lunch (On Your Own)
1315-1410: Concepting Scenario
1410-1430: Break
1430-1500: Wrap Up
1500-1530: End of Day Remarks
1700: Optional No Host Social at Coppertail Brewing Co., 2601 E 2nd Ave, Tampa, FL 33605
11 March
0800-0815: Welcome Warmup
0815-0830: Review
0830-1000: Concepting Scenario
1000-1020: Break
1020-1200: Concepting Scenario
1200-1315: Lunch (On Your Own)
1315-1330: Review
1330-1410: Concepting Scenario
1410-1430: Break
1430-1515: Wrap Up
1515-1545: End of Day Remarks
12 March
0800-0815: Welcome Warmup
0815-0945: Finalize Concepts
0945-1005: Break
1005-1105: Finalize Concepts and Rehearse Concept Pitches
1105-1315: Lunch (On Your Own)
1315-1430: Rehearse Concept Pitches
1430-1530: Executive Outbrief
1530-1600: Wrap Up
1600: End of Event Remarks
Read Ahead
Definitions: Click Here to Review
USSOCOM 2019 Fact Book: Click Here to Review
Location
SOFWERX
1925 E 2nd Ave
Tampa, FL 33605 Suite 102
Questions
For event related questions, please contact Tania Steele, tania.steele@sofwerx.org
For technical questions, please contact Carl Havens, carl.havens.ctr@socom.mil