Topic

USSOCOM seeks a field-deployable capability to enable detection, discrimination, and triangulation of dangerous or restricted materials without direct sampling, physical breach, or active signal emission. As a part of this feasibility study, the proposers shall address all viable overall system design options with respective specifications to provide SOF elements with real-time awareness of concealed threats, explosives, advanced weapon systems (e.g., Man-portable Air-defense system (MANPADS), optical targeting systems), or radiological materials across mission sets including: • Over-the-beach reconnaissance and interdiction • Maritime boarding operations and cargo search • Route clearance and sniper overwatch detection • Counter-air asset protection through early threat detection • Expeditionary medical diagnostics (e.g., cancer, infection, contamination) • Environmental and infrastructure monitoring for hazardous agents Key capability attributes include: • Passive and non-emitting (non-radiative) operation, Low Probability of Interception/ Low Probability of Detection (LPI/LPD) or off common frequency acceptable. • Detection of materials through shielding, barriers, or enclosures • Miniaturization for man-portable or unmanned system deployment • Ability to support triangulation or multi-sensor cueing • Operability in low-light, GPS-denied, and high-interference environments • Compatibility with austere, tactical, or maritime conditions. This topic specifically invites novel sensor modalities or approaches that extend beyond traditional radiation or vapor detection (e.g., those based on material resonance, atomic signature recognition, or other non-contact methodologies). Solutions that identify the presence of a threat based on what it is made of rather than what it emits are of particular interest. Offerors should propose a research effort to validate the technical feasibility of such an approach, including a clear path toward miniaturization, field ruggedization, and tactical integration.