SOFWERX Exploring New Arctic Tech for Commandos.

* SOFWERX, a Tampa, Florida-based innovation hub, recently hosted a "Tech Tuesday" session in concert with U.S. Special Operations Command, which focused on current transformational technologies that could facilitate ops in Arctic climates. Selected organizations had the opportunity to virtually pitch their cutting-edge technology to interested government partners. (For more on SOFWERX see story on page 38)

"Broadly, we looked at human performance," SOFWERX Director Leslie Babich said during a presentation in March. "Things that will keep you warm, things that will support your body structure and allow your energy [to be conserved]....You can do the mission a little bit longer, a little bit farther with the support of these technologies."

SOFWERX is also looking at communications equipment that would work well at high latitudes, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance tools to improve situational awareness.

"ISR capabilities are going to be slightly different than what we're using now," Babich said without elaborating.

Other innovations on the wish list relate to energy and power.

"A lot of operators are carrying around packs and packs of batteries, so any way we can take...technologies...