Non-Line of Sight Directional Control Technology

Army Special Operation Forces (ARSOF) play a critical role in our nation’s safety and security, often acting as a force multiplier in small unit tactics. Critical within ARSOF, Multi-purpose Canines (MPCs) attached to ARSOF handlers serve as a critical component to mission success. However, an inability to communicate with MPCs out of line of sight (LOS), with specificity and without detection, limit ARSOF Soldier maneuverability, survivability, and lethality. Recommendations and design proposed in this Phase I SBIR will provide ARSOF handlers with a new capability to covertly communicate with their MPC with specificity, in and out of LOS, without detection. Methods and technologies proposed will enhance MPC vision and performance, while allowing the MPC to retain full range of motion. Successful completion of the proposed technology will increase soldier maneuverability, lethality, and survivability, while also providing new mission capabilities. This SBIR proposal represents the technical feasibility and design stage to determine the tenable use of the proposed technology to meet ARSOF needs.