USSOCOM Virtual Innovation Foundry (IF7) Event

20–22 January 2021

Submissions Closed 10 December 11:59 PM ET

U.S. Citizens Only

Purpose
SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM’s Directorate of Science and Technology (S&T), will host the Seventh Innovation Foundry (IF7) Event. The objective is to bring together Special Operations Forces (SOF) representatives and Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to assist USSOCOM in discerning future capability areas for technology exploration for SOF in the conduct of Unconventional Warfare (UW). IF7 will scope the future technology-based capabilities looking forward 7-15 years, utilizing design thinking to explore concepts that support missions described in USSOCOM’s Operating Concept 2030.

Why You Should Participate
The event will be a compelling opportunity for leading minds in Industry, Academia, Labs, and Government, as well as Subject Matter Experts in Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) to ideate, collaborate, and improve the investment decision making for the future needs of SOF. USSOCOM has also used Innovation Foundries to build key relationships with local and regional entrepreneurs and technology developers.

Problem Statement
Attendees will work as teams focused on the following capabilities/concept areas:

New innovative capabilities to build a more lethal force to reduce threats from state-adversaries WMD Missile Delivery Systems. Concepts shall be interoperable with layered missile defenses and focused on preventing launches from both fixed sites and mobile threats as well as operationally unpredictable capabilities that will provide a decisive advantage for any likely conflicts.
New innovative concepts are sought to improve the entire chain—“Find, Fix, Track, Target, Engage, Assess”—to enhance the full spectrum of CWMD missile delivery system capabilities.

“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 Timeline
Completed Phase 1 – 19 November 2020 to 10 December 2020 Submissions Open: Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) Subject Matter Experts and visionaries from Industry, Academia, and National Labs request to attend the IF7 Event by submitting a CV below (NLT 10 December).

Completed Phase 2 – 11 December 2020 to 18 December 2020 SME Downselect: The S&T Directorate Future’s Team will downselect participants to attend the IF7 Event. Selected participants will be notified via e-mail o/a 18 December.

Completed Phase 3 – 20 January 2021 to 22 January 2021 Virtual Innovation Foundry 7 Event: During the event, selected participants will collaborate and ideate with fellow SMEs, the S&T Directorate Future’s Team, and SOF Operators on the concept areas above. Selectees should plan for workdays from 0800-1700 ET.

Questions?
For event-related questions, please contact Claire Hawley, claire.hawley@sofwerx.org
For technical questions, please contact Eric Abrahamson, ericnabrahamson@gmail.com