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USSOCOM’s unique responsibilities includeproviding SOF with specialized equipment toperform their worldwide missions. As a result,the Commander, USSOCOM is the only unifiedcommander charged by law with acquisitionresponsibilities similar to those of the servicesto develop, acquire, and field equipment. Toaccomplish this, USSOCOM has its own

SOF PROGRAMS & SYSTEMSspecial operations acquisition executive, withresponsibilities and authorities equal to serviceacquisition executives, and a Special OperationsAcquisition Center that supports USSOCOMprogram management and oversight of MFP-11acquisition funding. The following pageshighlight some of the key SOF programsand systems.

CV-22 Osprey

MissionPerform long-range, night and all-weather infiltra-tion, exfiltration, and resupply missions; medicalevacuation, and selected rescue and recoverymissions.

AC-130H/U Spectre Gunship

MissionThe AC-130 mission is to acquire and identifytargets predominately at night, coordinate withground forces and command and control agencies,and deliver surgical firepower in support of bothconventional and special operations missions.The gunship is best suited for the close air supportmission and has a unique capability to deliverordnance in extremely close proximity to friendlyforces in a troops-in-contact situation. Gunshipscan also perform interdiction and armed recon-naissance missions, particularly where limitedcollateral damage is required.

AIR MOBILITY

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Combat Talons can airland and airdrop personneland equipment on austere, marked and unmarkedlanding zones/drop zones, day or night. CombatTalon missions may require overt, clandestine, orlow visibility operations.

search and rescue and maintains most ofits rescue capability. High-intensity parachuteflares, various smoke-producing pyrotechnics,and sea dye are still carried aboard this aircraftfor helicopter overwater escort and rescue.

MC-130E/H Combat Talon

MissionThe Combat Talon I and Combat Talon IIsupport activities from crisis response to wartimecommitment in special operations missions. TheCombat Talon mission is to provide global, day,night, and adverse weather capability to airdropand airland personnel and equipment in supportof U.S. and allied SOF. The Combat Talon con-ducts infiltration, exfiltration, resupply (usingairland and/or airdrop), psychological operations,air refueling of SOF helicopters and aerial recon-naissance in hostile or denied territory. TheCombat Talon missions may be accomplishedeither singleship or in concert with other specialoperations assets in varying multi-aircraft scenarios.

MC-130P Combat Shadow

MissionThe mission of the Combat Shadow is clandes-tine formation/single-ship intrusion of hostileterritory to provide air refueling to special oper-ations helicopters and infiltration, exfiltration,and resupply of SOF by airdrop or airland opera-tions. Utilizing night visions goggles the crew ofthe Combat Shadow primarily flies missions atnight to reduce probability of visual acquisitionand intercept by airborne threats. Secondarymission capabilities may include airdrop of smallspecial operations teams, small bundles, andcombat rubber raiding craft; as well as NVGtakeoff and landing procedures, tactical airborneradar approaches, and in-flight refueling as areceiver. The MC-130P can be employed ina low to medium threat environment. Theaircraft was originally modified for combat

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EC-130E Commando Solo

MissionCommando Solo conducts psychologicaloperations missions in the standardAM, FM, HF, TV and military communicationsbands. Missions are flown at maximum altitudespossible to ensure optimum propagation patterns.This system may also be used to support disasterassistance efforts by broadcasting public informa-tion and instruction for evacuation operations.

MH-53M Pave Low

MissionConduct clandestine infiltrations, exfiltrations,resupply, airdrop, and heavy-lift sling operationsover a wide range of environmental conditions.The aircraft can perform a variety of other mis-sions, including shipboard operations, radarvectoring, and search and rescue. The Pave Lowcan be employed in low to medium threatenvironments.

MH-60K

MissionConduct overt or covert infiltration, exfiltra-tion, and resupply of SOF over a wide range ofenvironmental conditions. The MH-60K iscapable of operating from fixed base facilities,remote sites, or oceangoing vessels.

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MH-60L

MissionConduct infiltration, exfiltration, and resupplyof SOF across a wide range of environmentalconditions. Additionally, the MH-60L/DAPhas the primary mission of escort. Secondary mis-sions of the MH-60L include C2, external load,CSAR, and medical evacuation (MEDEVAC)operations. The MH-60L can operate from fixed-base facilities, remote sites, or oceangoing vessels.

MH-47D/E

MissionConduct infiltration, exfiltration, air assault,resupply, and external-sling operations under awide range of environmental conditions. Theaircraft can perform a variety of other missions,including shipboard, platform, urban, water, FARP,mass casualty, and CSAR operations.

AH/MH-6M Mission EnhancementLittle Bird

MissionConduct and support short-range, infiltration/exfiltration, resupply operations in hostile areas,and selected rescue and recovery missions.Includes shipboard, platform, over water andurban operations.

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Advanced SEAL DeliverySystem (ASDS)

MissionProvides undersea mobility for SOF personneland their mission support equipment.

Patrol Boat Light – Counter Drug(PBL–CD)

MissionThe Patrol Boat Light (PBL) is a maritimeplatform used for training host nation forcesin riverine environments.

Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB)

MissionPerform short-range infiltration and extractionof SOF and limited coastal patrol and interdictionin “low to medium” threat environments. NavalSpecial Warfare RIB detachments are alsodeployed on USN amphibious ships.

Mark V Special Operations Craft

MissionPerform medium-range, adverse-weatherinfiltration and exfiltration of SOF andlimited coastal patrol and interdiction inlow to medium threat environments.

MARITIME MOBILITY

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Special Operations CraftRiverine (SOCR)

MissionProvide short-range insertion and extractionof SOF personnel in a riverine environment.

Swimmer Transport DeviceSpecial Operations Craft

MissionProvide SOF combat swimmers and their missionessential equipment an intermediate transportcapability when operating from an insertion/extraction platform to and from target areasat ranges of up to five nautical miles.

GROUND MOBILITY

Internally Transportable Vehicle

MissionProvide a highly mobile, rugged platform tosupport the five core tasks (special reconnaissance,direct action, unconventional warfare, foreigninternal defense, counterterrorism) and othersecondary missions.

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LEP BALCS MICH

Ground Mobility Vehicles (GMV)

MissionThe GMV program modifies the Army providedHMMWV to meet SOF peculiar mobility platformrequirements. The GMV gives SOF superior cross-country maneuverability, the capability to travelunassisted over long distances and supports directaction, special reconnaissance, airfield seizure.unconventional warfare, foreign internal defense,and liaison missions.

SOLDIER SYSTEMS

WEAPONS

Requirements (SPEAR)

SOF Personal Equipment AdvancedRequirements (SPEAR)

MissionProvide SOF operators with state of the artequipment that improves operator survivability,mobility, lethality, and endurance. SPEAR acquiresindividual operator equipment in nine functionalareas including: lightweight environmentalprotective (LEP) clothing, body armor/load

carriage system (BALCS), and modular integratedcommunications helmet (MICH).

SOF Machineguns (SMG)

MissionProvide the SOF operator with reliable,belt fed, man portable systems capable ofaddressing area targets using existing 5.56and 7.62mm ammunition.

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technology that ensures 24-hour, all-weather, all-condition capabilities through the pursuit ofthermal devices.

improved weapons performance, target acquisition,signature suppression, and fire control in close-quarters battle and out to ranges of 800 meters,both day and night.

Special Operations PeculiarModifications to the M4 Carbine

MissionAllow SOF operators to configure the M4A1carbine and M203 Grenade Launcher, basedon mission-specific requirements. Kit itemsincrease weapons effectiveness through

DEMOLITIONS

SOF Demolition Kit

MissionProvides the capabilities to custom build, attach,and waterproof, demolition charges based onspecific targets and operational scenarios.

Night Vision Devices (NVD)

MissionNVD is a joint funding line that provides forthe modernization of USSOCOM’s inventory ofvisual augmentation systems. Approved byUSSOCOM in 1996 the funding line now hasa detailed modernization roadmap and approvedcapstone requirements document. These docu-ments and proper funding will allow USSOCOMto break its dependence on image intensificationdevices and stay ahead of threat capabilitiesthrough the procurement of state-of-the-art

NIGHT VISION / ELECTRO-OPTICS

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INTELLIGENCE & INFORMATION SYSTEMS

Joint Threat Warning System (JTWS)Threat Warning/SituationalAwareness System

MissionProvide threat warning and situational awarenesscapabilities to SOF utilizing common componentsand multiple variants to meet air, ground, andmaritime mission needs.

PRIVATEER Threat Warning/Situational Awareness System

MissionProvide threat warning and situational awarenessaboard NAVSPECWARCOM Mark V SpecialOperations Craft.

SENTINEL Threat Warning/Situational Awareness System

MissionProvide threat warning and situational awarenessaboard AFSOC fixed-wing aircraft.

Integrated Survey Program (ISP)Mission Familiarization VirtualReality (MFVR)

MissionSupports JCS contingency planning requirementsby conducting surveys on OCONUS facilitieswhere U.S. interests may be at risk.

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Special Operations TacticalVideo System (SOTVS)

MissionExecute special reconnaissance missions by SOFin support of national and Geographic CombatantCommander war-fighting requirements.

Special Mission Radio System(SMRS)

MissionProvide reliable, secure, high frequency (HF) C2

communications via voice and data over varyingdistances. Supports strategic recon and generalpurpose HF missions; required for both manpackand vehicular operations.

Tactical Radio System (TRS)

MissionProvides a base station for NSW combatant craftsto conduct intra-craft and external C2 communica-tions to other SOF base stations, tactical aircraft,and various SOF, conventional forces, and alliedplatforms.

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Multi Band Inter/Intra TeamRadio (MBITR)

MissionProvide reliable, voice and data communicationson a user-selected frequency using a handheldradio.

Multi-Band, Multi-MissionRadio

MissionProvide reliable voice and data communicationacross the VHF and UHF bands with a singlemanpack radio.

Joint Base Station

MissionProvide a deployed SOF commander the abilityto establish and maintain mobile- and fixed-combat, contingency, training and administra-tive communications from any level within atheater of operations.

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Telecommunications System Mission/SOF Deployable Node (SDN)

MissionUSSOCOM’s primary command and controlnetwork. Provides secure voice, data, and VTCto world-wide deployed and strategic SOF loca-tions. SDN is the follow-on system to SCAMPIand provides improved modularity, scalability,and reliability at reduced nodal size and weight.Desgined to provide STEP/Teleport inter-operability.

Psychological OperationsBroadcast System

MissionProvide strategic, wide-area, multi-media radioand television production, distribution, anddissemination capability in support of Geo-graphic Combatant Commander.

Special Operations Forces TacticalAssured Communications System(SOFTACS)—Deployable Multi-Channel SATCOM (DMCS)

MissionProvides SOF component forces with a lightweight,easily transportable, rapidly deployable tri-bandSHF satellite communications terminal, flexible forutilization in peacetime and all threat environ-ments across the entire spectrum of conflict.

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Special Operations MediaSystem B

MissionProvide enhanced tactical television and radiocapabilities to produce, broadcast, record, andtransmit programming material in support ofPSYOP and CA missions.

Family of Loudspeakers

MissionProvide a high quality loudspeaker broadcastsystem to target areas in support of SOF andconventional forces when deployed by mobilePSYOP forces.

Leaflet Delivery System

MissionProvide accurate and reliable disseminationof large quantities of PSYOP material across thespectrum of war and during peacetime, in deniedareas, at short- and long- standoff ranges.

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Miniature Multiband Beacon

MissionProvide a dual-band portable radar transponderbeacon that can be hand emplaced.

C4I Automation Systems

MissionProvides a wide range of services from C4Isurveillance and reconnaissance capabilitiesto office automation tools. Provides the conduitfor various systems such as the Global Commandand Control System to connect the SOF war-fighter to the global infosphere.

Joint Deployable IntelligenceSupport System–Special OperationsCommand Research, Analysis andThreat Evaluation System(JDISS-SOCRATES)

MissionProvide access to both national and speciallyfocused intelligence products using a wide-area,network-based, multi-functional intelligencesystem for USSOCOM headquarters, itscomponent commands, and operatingforces worldwide.

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Tactical Local Area Network(TACLAN)

MissionTACLAN provides automation connectivitywith flexible interfaces to communications,databases, and mission applications that willcollectively provide an equivalent of the garrisonbased architecture to deployed units remoteoperators. TACLAN includes servers, routers,hubs, and notebook computers (workstations),and field computing devices (FCDs) required toset up one (1) unclassified network (NIPR),one (1) classified network (SIPR) and one(1) SCI network. Provides the data networkinfrastructure for the SOF Digital Environment(SDE).

Special Operations MissionPlanning Environment (SOMPE)(formerly SOF Planning andRehearsal System–SOFPARS)

MissionProvide for the consolidation of all operationaland tactical mission-planning requirementsacross the command. SOMPE will be a familyof integrated software products and tools provid-ing interoperable and tailorable support for specialoperations components, commands, units, teams,and aircrews. SOMPE will automate the manyaspects of the mission planning and serves as avital piece of the SOF Digital Environment(SDE).

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Special Operations ForcesSupport Activity

MissionProvide Joint SOF with a dedicated logisticssupport capability world-wide.

� The “cornerstone” for executing USSOCOM’sSO-peculiar logistics responsibilities to jointSOF world-wide

� The Center of Excellence for designated logisticscommodities in the areas of SOF support

MISSION SUPPORT

Joint Operational Stocks

MissionThe Joint Operational Stocks programprovides joint SOF with resource con-strained mission-critical, mission-essential,and mission-enhancing equipment in orderto provide responsive support to worldwidecontingency and training missions.

SOF Sustainment, Asset Visibility,and Information Exchange

MissionThe SOF Sustainment, Asset Visibility, andInformation Exchange provides on-lineresponsive logistics materiel support to maximizereadiness and sustainability for SOF worldwide.

Munitions Management

MissionProvide world class munitions replenishmentsupport of Navy, Air Force and Army SOFpeacetime, war reserve, and training ammunitionas required to sustain SOF readiness worldwide.