AOI X: SOF Operator Performance & Sustainment

SOF RACER: Advanced Protection: Advanced body armor (body-worn and head protection) that provides superior capability through increased ballistic protection and body coverage, while reducing weight, thickness, and thermal load. Must possess the ability to defeat armor-piercing ammunition and reduce strike energy to a survivable level. Includes advanced non-destructive inspection techniques for armor.
Active and/or Passive Heating and Cooling: The ability to maintain individual core and extremity temperature against extreme environments during SOF operations (e.g., military free fall, land/maritime operations). Solutions should be lightweight, non-interfering, and may also apply to maintaining the temperature of battlefield casualties.
Prolonged Field Care: Medical capabilities for far-forward care to reduce mortality and morbidity from battlefield wounds, injuries, and diseases. Focus on novel treatments, pharmaceuticals, biologics, and field-sustainable medical devices to manage 3-5 patients for a minimum of 5-7 days when evacuation is delayed or unavailable, including austere/forward surgery.
Concealment and Signature Management: Technologies that enable the SOF operator to remain undetected before and during an engagement. Also, technologies that prevent the enemy from locating or targeting the operator once actively engaged.
Special Mission Equipment: Advanced technologies for vertical and maritime access, precision aerial delivery of personnel and cargo, and enhanced individual and team survivability to ensure SOF operators can infiltrate, operate in, and exfiltrate from denied or complex environments.