To ensure they stay ahead of evolving threats, U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) consistently turns to global industry leader SNC, known for its world-class engineering, integration and modernization expertise. SNC’s history of supporting SOF spans decades, providing cutting-edge solutions that create strategic, asymmetric advantages in integrated deterrence, crisis and conflict situations.

While SNC’s legacy of innovation is rooted in advanced electronic warfare (EW), radiofrequency (RF) jammers and other systems, much of its partnership with SOCOM started with aircraft modification. Today, SNC combines these two strengths to shift SOCOM and special operators into the future. By digitally transforming proven platforms for global SOF support, SNC is creating open architecture systems ranging from Joint All-Domain Command and Control (JADC2) enablers, like SNC’s Digital Grid, SNC TRAX® Software, RF countermeasure (RFCM) systems, open mission systems, such as the Airlift Tanker Open Mission System (ATOMS) and other essential, next-gen solutions that enhance SOF’s existing strengths, enabling success in the strategic competitive environment.

SNC’s aircraft modification and modernization work is centered on survivability and connectivity, ensuring the warfighter has the advantage wherever the mission takes them. For instance, SNC’s engineering and installation work on the RFCM system provides threat detection, precision geolocation and active countermeasure capabilities on the AC/MC-130J aircraft, significantly improving survivability in the modern threat landscape through advanced system processing and robust spectrum support.

With the need to further JADC2 in an array of conflict environments, SNC’s integration of an airborne networking capability provides MC-130J aircrew and mission personnel with a secure communications suite. The system aggregates and disseminates tactical data from disparate networks between aircraft, ground forces and command centers across the battlespace. The system works in close coordination with RFCM – the former providing consolidated situational awareness and the latter, aircraft detection and self-protection – working in conjunction to safeguard and enable SOF warriors in degraded and denied environments.

SNC is broadening JADC2 and resilient C2 capabilities across the services, providing solutions for all branches of the U.S. military to greatly increase SOCOM’s strategic advantage in the future fight. It’s groundbreaking integration of the ATOMS solution, demonstrated during Mobility Guardian 2023, delivers enhanced situational awareness through multidomain networking and datalink. SNC’s ATOMS demo showcased the system’s ability to create a Common Operating Picture, improving data interpretation and bolstering decision advantage all within a highly mobile, adaptable platform that is easily configurable for nearly any SOF operation. ATOMS was built to enable global C2 using SNC TRAX to accurately navigate and maneuver the Joint Force while under attack. SNC TRAX translates disparate communication and data platforms across aircraft, Operations Centers, mounted and dismounted warfighters in every phase of the operation, with mission relevant information in near-real time for faster decisions.

As the U.S. refocuses toward Russia and China’s destabilizing influences, SOCOM is focusing on how to adapt its highly specialized forces to compete against a near-peer threat. In this effort, secure, reliable connectivity across the Joint Forces and our allied partners is essential. SNC’s trusted, proven solutions are protecting the SOF warrior in the most critical moments and facilitating global operations for mission success.

To address the shortfall, the Army proposed a phased project approach to test best-of-breed technologies that would ultimately inform the High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System, or HADES, Program of Record.

Informed by internal research and development, SNC moved to procure two Bombardier Global 6500 jets on which to deploy its RAPCON-X family of systems – well ahead of any formal RFP – to ensure readiness to meet the Army’s deadline for a new A-ISR fleet. The aircraft have been undergoing engineering integration for nearly two years and SNC now offers 18,000+ hours of engineering on Bombardier 6500 mission systems.

This proactive preparation was recognized with the Army’s Theater Level High-Altitude Expeditionary Next Aerial–Signals Intelligence (ATHENA-S) project contract in October of 2023.

“Our goal is simply to deliver a platform with superior range, endurance, payload capability and C2 awareness to put our customers in a position of strength during conflicts,” said Vice President of Strategy for SNC’s MST business area Lisa Godenick.

RAPCON-X is a versatile system that collects and processes various signals intelligence, reconnaissance data, and ground moving-target signatures using synthetic aperture radar. It is designed for global operations with aircraft survivability equipment (ASE) installation for enhanced survivability and the ability to operate in peer-to-peer and near-pear environments. Tailorable to any mission worldwide, it offers unique features like range, stand-off capability, and endurance.

Its rapidly configurable design makes RAPCON-X one of the most prominent examples of how SNC employs MOSA technology. Its highly modular components are easily reconfigured by switching out on-board equipment to match tactical needs – without aircraft redesign. Exterior modifications are also easily transferable.

This approach is also what allows SNC to use one program aircraft to inform design for another. For example, the stability augmentation technology developed for ATHENA-S is also a relevant capability for HADES.

“At SNC, we say our solutions are ‘born digital’ because they are designed in a digital engineering environment, tested and matured using model-based systems engineering (MBSE), starting with the customer requirements,” added Godenick. “Open architecture (OA) is the common thread across the RAPCON-X offerings that enables SNC to choose best-of-breed technology every time.”

Just as the ATHENA and HADES programs represent a meaningful milestone for the Army, it also does for SNC. We are equally as invested as the Army to deliver on their need. Plain and simple, their mission is our mission.

“We do all this and more because we know we have the best solution for the Army. SNC brings decades of innovation and engineering experience to the conversation surrounding how these aircraft should be designed and modified to truly solve industry and warfighter challenges,” explained executive vice president of MST, Tim Owings.

SNC attributes its significant growth to understanding customer needs, investing in the mission and having the agility to act quickly as a private-owned mid-tier contractor. RAPCON-X aims to support the United States Army’s dominance in future battlefields.

In short, RAPCON-X is mission ready – wherever the mission is.

At this pivotal transition point, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) has realized a significant gap in its investment and acquisition strategies over the past two decades. That’s why SNC’s next-generation capabilities are essential in supporting and transforming DOD’s existing tools and platforms – with or without access to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) data.

“Today, we have OEMs who continue to struggle executing post-production aircraft modification,” said Brady Hauboldt, SNC’s vice president of business development. “It’s the worst-case scenario for the DOD who, without access to design data, is forced to award ever more contracts to OEMs who struggle to deliver on time and on budget.”

If the U.S. goes to war today – or tomorrow – it will be forced to rely on the systems already in inventory. These will need to be modified, adapted and improved upon at an exceptionally rapid pace to make them viable in a high-threat environment against an enemy who is also able to quickly adjust.

SNC’s advanced digital engineering capabilities, revolutionized with the emergence of modern tools over the past five to 10 years, have created cutting-edge approaches to post-production modifications, allowing them to fill in the gaps for customers when OEM data is unavailable. This is a profound capability, enabled by modern digital tools, that was not available in the 20th century.

Hauboldt says SNC’s digital scanning, modeling, spectrography and analysis tools allow for unprecedented, near-complete re-creation of digital data packages. Most SNC-generated data then becomes the property of the customer. This enables future competitions, reduces lifecycle costs and frees customers from reliance on OEM technical data packages. Permanently.

SNC’s solutions are born digital, starting with the customer requirements. They are designed in a digital engineering environment, tested and matured using a model-based systems engineering approach. Using the physical aircraft, SNC collects empirical data and then harnesses it to generate a digital model, which can be anything from a simple outer mold line to complete aerodynamic or electromagnetic models.

An integrated digital environment, surrounded by common digital toolsets, is essential for digital transformation in this new threat landscape. For the last several decades, SNC has invested heavily in tools, training and multi-level-security digital environments to ensure its engineers, production operations, contracting, finance and program managers are all using one digital source of data. Thanks to these significant investments, the company is on track to be the first in the industry to offer true Digital Twins in a post-production environment.

“As we field our integrated digital environment in 2023, our customers can have confidence that the digital models and designs represent the one authoritative source of truth – so they can trust that the work is done right, the first time, every time,” added Hauboldt.

In the face of an ever-evolving near-peer threat, the need to modify legacy platforms to meet the mission requirements of the future has never been more urgent. Digital engineering – free from the constraints of cumbersome, inefficient OEMs and data licensing – is the innovative, cost-effective solution our warfighters need to succeed. SNC is ready and able to deliver.

Always one step ahead, SNC perfected its open architecture ELINT/ESM systems for multi-domain operations through heavy IR&D investment over the last 20 years to deliver tomorrow’s technology today.

“We are incorporating SNC’s engineering design, integration and manufacturing expertise to achieve modular open systems approach (MOSA) compliance and exportability while also achieving affordability and interoperability in support of our U.S. Department of Defense and partner nation customers,” said Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s MST business area.

SNC’s ELINT operators are experts in working with land, sea and air-based radar signals, with experience in developing high-Technical Readiness Level (TRL) products for direction-finding, collection planning, signals analysis and report dissemination. Its field-proven products like the AE-4500 ESM system give the warfighter the ability to upgrade at the speed of threat to meet the adversary in the near-peer fight.

“The AE-4500 system’s size makes it truly unique,” added Owings. “It’s a small form factor radar detection and collection unit – meaning the size, weight and power (SWaP) requirements are much less than traditional ESM systems. This makes it very modular for easy setup, collection and transportation.”

SNC supports operations throughout INDOPACOM with solutions like the AE-4500 ESM system for air and ground platforms, that enable long-range, passive precision targeting to detect, identify and locate radars and non-communication signals. Its mature, field-proven hardware and software has been installed and flown on small UAV, turboprop and business jet platforms throughout the PACFleet.

The system also offers seamless ground platform integration for installation on fixed masts, mobile masts, shelter systems, buildings and other elevated areas to enable maximum coverage of the surrounding environment. It’s configurable for operations over multiple frequency ranges using a variety of antenna arrays for optimal field-of-view coverage.

But how can customers leverage all that data? SNC provides tailorable mission package solutions and integrations based on both platform and mission needs. The AE-4500 system not only delivers precision geolocation data, but also post-mission analysis tools, correlation and reporting.

“Our goal is to give the warfighter the power to exploit integrated data to accelerate their decision-making abilities through actionable intelligence,” explained Owings. “Situational awareness across platforms and domains is key to staying ahead in this ever-changing battlefield. SNC has what our customers need to win that fight.”

For more information on SNC’s next-gen ELINT systems, visit sncorp.com.

SNC Senior Director of Business Development Tim Harper explained, “SNC has a long history of developing solutions to difficult challenges, and we understand this process never ends. We’ve been in the industry for nearly 60 years, and understand that sometimes, needs emerge at a pace that doesn’t match that of government procurement processes. Our demonstrated pedigree of delivering solutions across DOD and international customers, combined with our team of top engineers, gives us the ability to identify the needs of tomorrow and address them today.”

In that spirit, SNC will take receipt of two Bombardier Global 6500 jets this fall, at which time it will employ model-based systems engineering (MBSE) to integrate ESM capabilities. This digital modeling reduces the time required to integrate new systems as they are developed and become available. Additionally, the RAPCON-X open architecture Mission Equipment Package (MEP) and easily configured mission fairing eliminates vendor lock and allows for rapid modification without aircraft redesign.

RAPCON-X is engineered ready for Aircraft Survivability Equipment (ASE) installation. Its large body design provides the space and excess electrical power to easily accommodate current mission equipment while allowing for substantial future growth in requirements. Further, as a CDA, RAPCON-X offers the high reliability, superior range and endurance to facilitate immediate worldwide deployability within an operational envelope that enhances survivability.

Combining ASE with deep-sensing standoff capability – from 45,000 feet MSL and above – RAPCON-X allows operations in the peer near-peer, A2/D2 environment. It is self-contained and fully mission capable without special support equipment.

“Our forward-looking design process and engineering techniques will place RAPCON-X among the most capable and rapidly configurable AISR platforms worldwide,” said Tim Owings, executive vice president of SNC’s MST business area. “RAPCON-X is a system of systems that arrives ready to complete the mission, whenever and wherever the need is, with the flexibility to quickly modify as the battlespace evolves.”

SNC will use its demonstrated ability to deliver turnkey, contractor-owned-contractor-operated (COCO) services – including aircraft, flight and maintenance operations and logistics support – as a business model for the offering.

“One of the key benefits of private ownership within the aerospace and defense industry is the speed and flexibility it allows to invest, innovate and quickly pursue development of the solutions and tools we believe are right for the customer requirements,” said SNC CEO and Owner Fatih Ozmen. “SNC continues to invest heavily in high-tech and agile solutions for our customers. Some of our greatest successes are the result of our investments and it’s something we will continue to pursue as we work alongside the U.S. Government to protect our nation and its allies. Using our collective experience as pilots, warfighters, engineers, MRO professionals and logistics providers, we will continue to build what we truly believe are the best solutions for the problems of both today and tomorrow.”