SOFWERX 'Drone in a Box' Competition Opens for Submissions

U.S. Special Operations Command's innovation platform has opened submissions for its competition to identify modular, adaptable and scalable solutions for flexible and responsive intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities to be used on uncrewed ground and aerial systems.

The request for submissions is the second phase in the “Drone in a Box” competition, hosted by SOFWERX in collaboration with SOCOM’s program executive office for tactical information systems. Participants selected during this portion will be invited to participate in the contest’s culminating assessment event.

The submissions window -- which will close June 11 -- follows an April collaboration event allowing interested participants to interact with warfighters and gain further insight into the operational needs an ideal solution would fulfill, according to the contract opportunity notice.

SOCOM is seeking assembly packages consisting of swappable parts and components like modular frames, propulsion systems, sensors, payloads, power and energy modules, control and navigation systems and communication systems. At a maximum weight of 55 pounds, the “Drone in a Box” would allow operators to rapidly adjust systems to meet changing mission requirements, including tasks like area surveillance, target tracking and damage evaluation. These capabilities would support both Group 1 and Group 2 drones as well as small uncrewed ground systems.

Selected participants would attend the assessment event in mid-July, where they will meet one-on-one with a SOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate and discuss their solutions, with a question-and-answer portion. Award negotiations could begin immediately following a favorable evaluation from the panel, SOFWERX said.

Assessment criteria include the following, according to supplemental material from SOFWERX:

• Two soldiers carrying backpacks must be able to transport the entire system, including drone(s), ground control system, batteries and accessories.
• Reliable operation in “harsh environmental conditions” such as dust, moisture, vibration and extreme temperatures.
• Compliance with legislation prohibiting procurement of equipment, systems and system components sourced in China.
• 256-bit encryption of all radio communication between uncrewed systems and ground control systems.
• A primary payload enabling day and night vision, electro-optical and infrared camera.
• A design with a modular open system architecture.
• Ability to integrate with modular payloads including laser designation, communications, camera, signal intelligence and dropped effects as well as compliance with SOCOM Modular Payload Standard.
• A single ground control station for all system operations.

SOCOM will down select submissions received and send invitations in late June for the Phase 4 - 16 July 2025 to 18 July 2025 Assessment Event (AE).

During the AE, selected participants will be allotted a one-on-one session with the USSOCOM evaluation panel to pitch, demonstrate, and/or discuss their solutions. The forum will include a Q&A portion and discussions may continue outside of the event. Solution brief presentation guidelines will be outlined in the event invitation and solutions will be assessed according to the criteria in the link provided below. If the USSOCOM evaluation panel favourably evaluates a solution brief, negotiations for Phase 5 may immediately begin.

This event will be held in person at SOFWERX and will have a virtual component.

Sources: Inside Defence; SOFWERX