Request to Attend Closed Government and National Labs Only Purpose SOFWERX, in collaboration with USSOCOM Science and Technology Directorate, will host a Government and National Labs Only Collaboration Event (CE) to develop future (circa 2035-2040) SOF applications utilizing Quantum Computers, Sensors and Communications Systems by leveraging academic and commercial first movers and fast followers. Background/Synopsis Special Operations Forces (SOF) must develop a clear understanding of quantum technology timelines to anticipate disruptive shifts in adversary capabilities and seize strategic advantage. Commercial quantum computing, sensing, and communications are accelerating toward operational maturity, with industry forecasts suggesting widespread adoption within the next 5-10 years. Quantum computing is already transitioning from lab-based prototypes to cloud-accessible platforms, while quantum sensing and communications are advancing in precision and security applications. For SOF planners, this trajectory demands early integration into threat models, capability development, and operational force design. Understanding when quantum technologies will become commercially viable—and thus accessible to state and non-state actors—is essential for shaping countermeasures, exploiting niche advantages, and informing long-range planning, programming, budgeting and execution. The military utility of quantum technologies will be profound, particularly for SOF operating in contested, denied, or ambiguous environments. Quantum computing could enable adversaries to gain and retain competitive advantage at unprecedented speed. Quantum sensing promises ultra-precise navigation, detection, and timing—potentially neutralizing stealth, spoofing, or GPS-denied tactics. Quantum communications, with their inherent resistance to interception and tampering, could revolutionize secure command and control, for both Blue and Red. These capabilities could either erode traditional asymmetric advantages or unlock new ones, depending on how quickly they are understood, adapted, and counter measured. Early doctrinal exploration, scenario modeling, and integration into joint force experimentation will be critical to ensuring SOF remains agile, anticipatory, and dominant in the quantum era. Objective Objectives for Quantum Technology Exploration Series (2035-2040 Horizon): Assess Commercial Quantum Trajectories Establish a shared understanding of projected timelines for commercial deployment of quantum computing, sensing, and communications technologies. Identify academic centers of gravity (both blue and red), key industry actors, investment trends, and technological milestones likely to shape global availability and accessibility by 2035-2040. To inform USSOCOM Enterprise the current state of the art and projected technology curves to support: Assessment of the technological gaps that are the current hurdles to full operational capability for quantum compute, comms, & sensing. Is it lacking nano technologies? Lack of material technologies? Answering these questions should allow SOF to assess developmental capacity of other nations to include ourselves. Informing Strategic Planning and Capability Development Generate actionable insights for SOF modernization pathways, acquisition priorities, and joint force integration. Aligning findings with broader commercial and defense innovation efforts to ensure SOF remains anticipatory, agile, and dominant in the quantum era. Development of Operational Scenarios and Wargaming Constructs Create future-operating-environment vignettes incorporating quantum-enabled capabilities across peer, near-peer, and non-state actors. Use these scenarios to stress-test SOF concepts, force design, and doctrinal assumptions under quantum-disrupted conditions. Mapping Military Utility and Threat Vectors Analyze how quantum capabilities may alter adversary decision-making, targeting, and secure communications. Explore potential SOF vulnerabilities and opportunities across mission profiles, including denied-area operations, ISR, and command and control. Identifying Integration Pathways and Mitigation Strategies Examine how SOF can leverage quantum technologies for advantage—e.g., quantum-secure communications, precision sensing, or rapid optimization. Develop counter-quantum strategies, including encryption resilience, deception, and operational ambiguity. Why You Should Participate USSOCOM seeks to enter into non-FAR or FAR-based agreements with Industry, Academic, and National Lab partners whose solutions are favorably evaluated by USSOCOM Science and Technology Directorate in partnership with Enterprise Subject Matter Experts (SMEs). As such, the follow-on Assessment Event (AE) is considered competitive, and solutions will be evaluated independently of one another primarily for technical merit. This serves dually as notification of the intent to research the feasibility of an agreement under 10 U.S. Code, Section 4022 and/or Section 4022(f), and as notice of pre-solicitation activities IAW FAR 5.204. Event Tentative Agenda 03-04 March 2026 Government and National Labs Only Collaboration Event (CE): SOFWERX will host a Government and National Labs Only Collaboration Event (CE) with various stakeholders to identify Quantum Compute, Sensors and Communications first movers and technically feasible implementation timelines. During this two day event, Government stakeholders will identify and prioritize desirements for the implementation of Quantum Compute, Sensors and Communications technologies and will also identify current limitations with existing technology/processes and ideate ways to fill capability gaps. Problem statement(s) will be developed to frame stakeholder needs. Outcomes from the Government and National Labs Only Collaboration Event will shape future phases of this effort. 03 March 10:00 - 2:00: SCI Session This session will be held in person at MacDill Air Force Base. 04 March 8:00 – 8:20: Participants arrive at SOFWERX 8:20 – 8:25: SOFWERX Welcome 8:25 – 9:25: Stakeholder Overview & Problem Set 9:25 – 9:45: Break 9:45 – 10:30: Current Limitations Breakout 10:30 – 11:30: Ways to Overcome Limitations Breakout 11:30 – 1:00: Lunch (on your own) 1:10 – 3:10: Problem Statement Development 3:10 – 3:30: Break 3:30 – 4:15: Problem Statement Briefs 4:15 – 4:30: Prioritization 4:30 – 4:45: Path Forward Note: Agenda is subject to change This session will be held in person at SOFWERX.
