USSOCOM Virtual Innovation Foundry Event (IF6)

Artificial Intelligence for Maneuver, Intelligence, and Effects

01-03 September 2020

Closed on 09 August 11:59 PM EST

U.S. Citizens Only

Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM’s Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T), will host its Sixth Innovation Foundry Event (IF6) to bring together Special Forces Operators and Subject Matter Experts to assist USSOCOM in understanding and applying digital age technologies to future operating environments as described in USSOCOM’s Operating Concept 2030. The event, entitled “Artificial Intelligence for Maritime Maneuver, Intelligence, and Effects,” will utilize design thinking techniques to explore unique concepts and capabilities 7-15 years in the future.

Why You Should Participate
The foundry event is an opportunity to work with like-minded talent from Industry, Academia, and Government to apply digital and intelligence age technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), miniaturized sensors, cloud and edge computing, and secure autonomous communication networks to the military functions of maritime maneuver, intelligence, and effects to develop concepts that influence the future capability needs of SOF and inform its technology investments.

Metholodology

USSOCOM will define current and projected limitations and allow teams to innovate novel solutions and ways to overcome the challenges defined in the scenario. Attendees will work as teams focused on the following concept areas:

  1. Enable SOF tactical and operational advantage while conducting multiple mission sets in a Maritime contested and denied environment.
    • In the future operating environment, how will tactical level SOF conduct Maritime missions while maintaining real-time battlefield awareness of friendly forces/resources as well as enemy forces and resources?
    • How can SOF team employ robotic autonomous systems to improve precision effects and minimize risk to personnel, maritime craft, systems, and overall mission?
  2. Enable SOF to operate with non-lethal/lethal effects while managing personnel and electromagnetic (EM) signature in a sensor saturated Maritime environment.
    • How does SOF deliver lethal and non-lethal effects, interoperate with the greater joint force, and mission command forces and network connected systems?
    • How can SOF create and deliver effects that integrate traditional and non-traditional means and create dilemmas for enemy forces?
  3. Enable SOF to communicate and operate in an EM contested and/or degraded environment.
    • How can SOF send/receive information in denied and contested operational Maritime environments?
    • How can SOF install, operate, and maintain a tactical network capable of sending and receiving secure and trusted information?
  4. Enable SOF to maneuver their teams, provide intelligence, and deliver effects in an environment where traditional position, navigation, and timing (PNT) systems may not be operational or reliable.
    • How can SOF utilize autonomous systems ranging in size and type to maneuver in unreliable PNT environments?
    • How can SOF utilize unattended/unmanned and autonomous sensors in the maritime environment to provide a comprehensive intelligence picture?
    • How can SOF manage signature while completing mission requirements?
  5. Enable SOF to provide tactical, operational, and strategic options to the greater joint force through unique employment of emerging technology.
    • How can SOF create windows of opportunity for the Joint Force in denied environments?
    • How can SOF enable the Joint Force while preserving high-value fleet assets?

 “The scenarios were sophisticated and intentionally difficult in order to drive new and creative approaches to the problem sets.” —RDML Rodriguez (NSWC Deputy), IF3

Timeline
Completed Phase 1 – 20 July 2020 to 09 August 2020 Submissions Open: Artificial Intelligence for Maritime Maneuver, Intelligence, and Effects Subject Matter Experts and visionaries from Industry, Laboratory, and Academic fields will request to attend the IF6 Event by submitting a CV below NLT 09 August 2020.

Phase 2 – 10 August 2020 to 12 August 2020 SME Downselect: The Future’s Team from the Directorate of Science and Technology will downselect participants to attend the IF6 event. Selected participants will be notified via e-mail o/a 12 August.

Phase 3 – 01 September 2020 to 03 September 2020 Virtual Innovation Foundry 6 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, utilizing Zoom Government to host the event.

Tentative Agenda
01 September
0900-0915: Zoom Check-In
0915-1015: Welcome
1015-1035: Scenario Goal
1035-1105: Break
1105-12:20 Scenario Understand & Define
1220-1320: Lunch
1320-1425: Scenario Ideation
1425-1455: Break
1455-1525: Scenario Prototype
1540-1550: End of Day Remarks

02 September
0900-0915: Welcome Warmup
0915-1015: Concepting Scenario
1015-1045: Break
1020-1200: Concepting Scenario
1215-1315: Lunch
1315-1435: Concepting Scenario
1435-1505: Break
1505-1550: Pitch Preparation
1550-1600: End of Day Remarks

03 September
0900-0915: Welcome Warmup
0915-0940: Pitch Practice
0940-1010: Break
1010-1140: Pitch Practice
1140-1240: Lunch
1240-1310: Record Pitch
1310-1330: Facilitated Feedback
1530-1600: Pitches and Q&A
1540-1600: Closing Remarks

Questions
For event related questions, please contact Jessica Pecoraro, jessica.pecoraro@sofwerx.org and Kate Stacey, kate.stacey@sofwerx.org.
For technical questions, please contact Kimberly Bouldin, kimberly.k.bouldin.ctr@socom.mil

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