- US special operations forces want new drones for cave and tunnel operations.
- Drones could offer communication and situational awareness benefits over military working dogs.
- US special operators are often at the forefront of working with industry on new technologies.
Fighting inside caves and tunnels is a tough and dangerous mission, even for elite special operations forces.
Drones could help solve key problems operators face, such as communication and threat detection issues, while reducing the risk to human warfighters and military working dogs.
SOCOM, on behalf of SOCCENT, which oversees US special operations forces in the Middle East, said in a recent procurement notice first reported by The War Zone that caves present severe logistical problems for operators. The battlespaces are confined spaces characterized by unpredictable terrain and limited visibility. A narrow passageway can instantly become a kill box.
In the Middle East, both state and non-state actors have used networks of caves and tunnels, complicating military operations against them.
"To mitigate these risks and enhance operational effectiveness, we propose the acquisition and deployment of a dedicated UAS solution," SOCOM said in the request, referring to uncrewed aerial system solutions.
Drones come in a range of sizes, from pocket-size Black Hornet drones to quadcopters and octocopters to large, sophisticated combat and reconnaissance drones like the Reaper. Small UAS solutions have proven tremendously valuable in Ukraine, where some have flown into the open hatches of tanks with precision.
SOCOM is seeking a compact first-person-view drone.
The fast, real-time intelligence provided by drones would not only reduce dangers to operators and dogs but also "significantly improve the safety and efficiency of cave clearing operations, ultimately contributing to mission success and force protection," SOCOM said.
Per the procurement notice, a specific but unnamed company has been identified as the only vendor that can provide the desired platform, training, and capabilities for this drone. SOCOM noted that the model has a compact body enabling it "to operate effectively in confined spaces."
Subterranean and underground operations are daunting. Tunnel warfare has been a key focus in counterterrorism and counterinsurgency efforts, and training for fights in these brutal environments has increased in recent years.
While it's unclear which specific drone model Special Operations Command is hoping to acquire for its forces, the notice is indicative of a larger priority to introduce more drones into operations.
At a symposium last month, special operations leadership and defense industry officials spoke candidly about the need to buy and develop more drones and autonomous systems to help their operators address difficult threats.
When it comes to adapting new technology quickly, SOCOM benefits from a comparatively flexible acquisition process, as well as close relationships with industry partners able to help it rapidly iterate and improve new capabilities.
SOCOM needs cheap solutions for future problems, as well as the problems facing operators right now. There are cheap, commercially available systems that could be updated with new software and hardware components depending on threats, countermeasures, and the needs of the operator. There are also specialized solutions that agile outfits can field quickly.
Rising US defense technology company Anduril Industries, for instance, began its work with SOCOM attempting to solve immediate drone and counter-drone problems operators were facing, Anduril Chief Strategy Officer Chris Brose said at the recent symposium.
For its caves and tunnels problem, SOCOM is seeking an already available solution that could make these missions easier and safer by incorporating emerging technology.
