Disruptive Technology in SOF-Peculiar Environments: Promises and Challenges in Development, Management, and Acquisition and Procurement

Military history provides numerous instances of states failing to recognize the implications of disruptive innovations. Contentment with incremental improvements on existing capabilities, such as weapon hand grips, autonomous capabilities, and augmented reality during operations, will not be enough to ensure the overall superiority of SOF warfighters.

The impact of today’s decisions will compound as the pace of technological change accelerates. Failure to effectively harness disruptive innovations today reduces future decision options, operational capability, and the likelihood of winning tomorrow’s fight.