Teledyne FLIR’s ‘new’ Rogue 1 loitering munition has been under SOCOM contract for two years

Teledyne FLIR’s ‘new’ Rogue 1 loitering munition has been under SOCOM contract for two years
Teledyne FLIR’s ‘new’ Rogue 1 loitering munition has been under SOCOM contract for two years

A SOCOM spokesperson told Breaking Defense, “Our next step is to purchase limited quantities of the Rogue 1 for further test and evaluation in support of a fielding decision and follow-on Low-Rate Initial Production in late calendar year 2025.”

Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes

Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes
Army wraps up FLRAA PDR, incorporating special ops design changes

According to a SOCOM official, the Army included feedback from the command that led to design changes like hardware for a refueling probe and features that will enable special operators to make unique modifications.

The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]

The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]
The sights of SOF Week 2024 [Photos]

A look at some of what this year’s SOF Week conference in Tampa had to offer.

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New capabilities make GA-ASI’s MQ-9A Reaper® more resilient against cyber threats & anti-aircraft weapons

New capabilities make GA-ASI’s MQ-9A Reaper® more resilient against cyber threats & anti-aircraft weapons
New capabilities make GA-ASI’s MQ-9A Reaper® more resilient against cyber threats & anti-aircraft weapons

These upgrades will play a central role in the way American and allied forces fight, and are destined to keep them at the vanguard for a long time.

Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions

Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions
Following Replicator win, AeroVironment sees strong demand for Switchblade, loitering munitions

“We already expanded production ahead of Replicator, and irrespective of Replicator, because we know where this is going,” AeroVironment CEO Wahid Nawabi told Breaking Defense.

SOCOM tables amphibious MC-130J ambitions: Official

SOCOM tables amphibious MC-130J ambitions: Official
SOCOM tables amphibious MC-130J ambitions: Official

The command carried out steps like hydrostatic and wind tunnel tests, but is now “kind of hitting a pause” on implementing a water landing capability due to budget concerns.

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SOF needs multi-mission quadcopters for the contested battlespace

SOF needs multi-mission quadcopters for the contested battlespace
SOF needs multi-mission quadcopters for the contested battlespace

With China the primary source of quadcopters, the U.S. can counter with a superior domestic supply chain.

FARA fallout: A ‘resurrection’ of Boeing’s A/MH-6 Little Bird for special forces

FARA fallout: A ‘resurrection’ of Boeing’s A/MH-6 Little Bird for special forces
FARA fallout: A ‘resurrection’ of Boeing’s A/MH-6 Little Bird for special forces

Special operators had planned for FARA to take the role of the AH-6, but the program’s cancellation “changed our equation,” a SOCOM official said.

SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare

SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare
SOCOM chief sees ‘renaissance’ for special forces amid great power competition, evolving warfare

“We haven’t seen … the arrival of that many different, I would call ecosystems or capabilities, going that fast together in quite some time,” SOCOM Commander Gen. Bryan Fenton said of new technologies changing the nature of warfare.

Anduril debuts Pulsar AI-powered electronic warfare system

Anduril debuts Pulsar AI-powered electronic warfare system
Anduril debuts Pulsar AI-powered electronic warfare system

Company executives claimed the Pulsar system can use AI tools to quickly identify new threats and devise defenses against them, compressing the timeline for responding to rapidly-evolving electronic warfare.