The editor of SOF News attended SOF Week 2025 held in Tampa, Florida from May 5-8, 2025. The event was co-sponsored by the Global SOF Foundation and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). Over the next several weeks SOF News will provide articles featuring some of the events, exhibitions, and presentations that took place. In addition, we will highlight and link to stories by other media sources about SOF Week 2025 that we think you will find interesting and informative. Some articles from other news media are below.
New Drone Boat Unveiled at SOF Week 2025. The Kraken 3 Scout Medium uncrewed surface vessel (USV) was on display in Tampa, Florida during the recent SOF Week 2025 exhibition sponsored by the Global SOF Foundation and United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) last week. The British designed 27-foot boat can carry a variety of payloads that can both detect and defeat drones and launch drones. Read about the Kraken in “New Drone Boat Unveiled at Special Operations Conference in Afterglow of Ukrainian Success”, by Howard Altman, TWZ, May 9, 2025.
SOF Week – An Ecosystem. Chad Williamson attended SOF Week and provides a descriptive overview of the event. He states that the presentations, exhibitions, speeches, and panel discussions are important and informative. But he also points out that a lot of stuff happens “on the margins”. Read more in “SOF Week Isn’t Just an Agenda. It’s an Ecosystem”, Real Clear Defense, May 8, 2025.
A Fusion of Foes. During SOF Week 2025 General Fenton and CSM Shorter explained that U.S. SOF has to react to and be ready to meet the challenge of a “fusion of foes”. There are now overlapping threats posed by Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and terrorist groups. Our adversaries are now coming together through convergence to collaborate. The USSOCOM leaders stated that SOF must innovate at breakneck speed. USSOCOM has to innovate in minutes, days and weeks, not years and decades. “Facing ‘fusion of foes,’ special ops leaders envision ‘SOF renaissance'”, Breaking Defense, May 6, 2025.
Upgrades to SOF Aircraft. Todd South details the suite of upgrades that USSOCOM is looking for industry to provide for SOF aircraft. These upgrades include new methods for aerial refueling, radio frequency countermeasures, and improved networking. The upgrades would be provided to the MC-130J, OA-1K Skyraider II, AC-130J Ghostrider, and its fleet of drones. See the article entitled “More data, comms, countermeasures needed for Special Ops aircraft”, Military Times, May 7, 2025.
SOF on the Southern Border. During his address to attendees at SOF Week 2025 Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth included remarks about the southern border and the role that SOF is playing in providing security. “US SOF making unique contribution on Southern Border: Hegseth”, Breaking Defense, May 6, 2025.
SOCOM’s Gear Wishlist. Patrick Tucker provides a synopsis of the needs and wants of USSOCOM based on the presentations and seminars that occured during SOF Week 2025. He says that as special operations forces prepare to take on a wider set of missions, their tech needs are growing more ambitious. See “Make big things small and small things big: SOCOM’s gear wishlist”, Defense One, May 9, 2025.
SOF and AI. USSOCOM has made commendable progress in integrating artificial intelligence into the battlespace but it still has more to do to keep pace with China and other adversaries. “Experts Say Special Ops Has Made Good AI Progress, But There’s Still Room to Grow”, by Matthew Olay, DOD News, May 7, 2025.
USSOCOM’s Streamlined Acquisition Process. The SOF methodology for developing and buying equipment is quicker and more flexible than that of the military services; there are less roadblocks than the larger DoD enterprise. Read more in “Cut the Chaff – Aquisition Revolution at SOCOM“, by Chad Williamson, Real Clear Defense, May 5, 2025.
Drone Technologies. SOF Week 2025 will underscore the critical role of drone technologies in enhancing situational awareness and providing mission success. “The Use of Drones by Special Operations Forces”, by John Oncea, RF Globalnet, April 7, 2025.
SOF’s Future Tiltrotor Aircraft. The U.S. Army is incorporating new special operations-specific requirements into its future tiltrotor aircraft. The new Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) are expected to replace HH-60 Black Hawk varients across the entire Army as well as in the 160th Special Operations Air Regiment (SOAR). SOF FLRAA version aircraft will have nose-mounted radar, additional sensors, defensive systems, and communications gear. “Army’s Future Tiltrotor Gets Heavier So It Can Rapidly Convert Into Special Opers Variant”, by Joseph Trevvithick, TWZ, Mary 8, 2025.
******
Top image: U.S. Naval Special Warfare and Royal Thai Navy Special Warfare operators conduct maritime interdiction operations during FLASH TORCH 2023-1. (Courtesy Photo, Feb 16, 2023, Sattahip, Thailand)
