Army Gen. Raymond Thomas delivers remarks after assuming command of U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., March 30, 2016. DoD photo.
On May 22, Commander of the US Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) General Raymond Thomas stated that a new development and acquisition plan for the USSOCOM would be transformative, Defense News reported.
Thomas pointed out that he will approve this five-year plan titled Program Objective Memorandum next year.
According to Thomas, this plan’s aim is to implant new cutting-edge systems that allow having primacy over capable opponents.
“In this rapidly evolving environment for the purpose of future combat development, we should consider the technology and platforms that today’s [special operations forces] use as legacy systems, already legacy systems whose sunset is nearly upon us,” Thomas stressed.
“In this POM we will address our future fixed-wing and rotary-wing requirements.”
He said that this plan would show a path of development of surface, subsurface and ground mobility.
“We will define our investment in SOF-specific space and cyber programs, precision weapons, and cutting-edge communications networks,” Thomas added.
Thomas pointed out that nowadays situation requires to increase lethality, maneuverability and survivability of forces. He stated that US forces need an improved body armor, ballistic helmet systems and communications gear. Thus, the command has to find new ways of development and improvement.
“We are challenged together to make decisions of this import while facing a more rapid cycle of technological advancement,” Thomas said.
The general claimed that decisions must be taken faster as we “are operating at the edge of communications and logistic networks.”
“The challenge now is to develop and field systems that enable the operator to quickly make decisions and take action appropriately and consistently, Thomas pointed out.
“Our acquisition processes, the speed of development and timeline from conception to deployment in these critical domains are out-cycled by the trends and speed in the private sector technological development.”
