Special operations forces in the market for global communications technology.

• Author: Erwin, Sandra I.
• Position: Industry overview

When they deploy to combat zones, special operations troops bring along a multitude of gizmos. Besides basic line-of-sight radios to communicate with their peers, they need devices to connect with other U.S. government agencies and allies. They also have satellite receivers, smartphones, tablets and custom terminals to upload streaming video.

At a time when special operations forces are seeking to expand their presence around the world, there has to be better ways to connect operators and allow them to share information in real time, said Adm. William McRaven, commander of U.S. Special Operations Command.

"We are trying to enhance the SOF network," McRaven said during a presentation at the Wilson Center in Washington, D.C. "How do we push communications down to every liaison officer at a U.S. embassy, to every operator in the field?"

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McRaven's plan is to transition SOCOM from a force that is primarily in the Middle East and Afghanistan to one that is spread around the globe.

In the future, special operations forces will face challenges that "cut across geographic combatant command boundaries, demanding integrated global approaches," said Jim Thomas, vice president of the Center for Strategic and Budgetary Assessments. In a new CSBA study on the future of special operations forces, Thomas suggested that SOCOM's vision to build a "global network" will require greater collaboration with foreign forces and interagency partners.

To realize its ambitious goals, SOCOM needs more advanced communications systems, industry experts said. Command officials are now scouring the marketplace for new products and fresh ideas on how to use existing technology. In a recent "request for information" that was published in FedBizOpps.com, SOCOM asked vendors for white papers detailing how they could help improve tactical communications. The solicitation warns that the RFI is only for "planning purposes" and does not commit the government to acquire any products or services.

High on SOCOM's wish list is a multipurpose device that would lighten the operator's load. It wants single handheld and backpack size devices that can simultaneously operate legacy radio waveforms, more advanced digital waveforms and that can also receive and distribute encrypted video, imagery and telemetry. These radios would be connected to Android or BlackBerry phones and tablets.

The Pentagon's major suppliers of military tactical communications systems are...