Session One will focus on penetration and defeat of A2AD systems, in order to better enable our submarines to maintain forward area undetected persistent operations and enable the flow of joint forces. Technical topics should include increased stealth and survivability, and reducing the need to compromise stealth; increased security for communications, combat effectiveness in comms or GPS-degraded environments, defeating A2AD, situational awareness, exploitation of the environment, Mine Counter-Measures (MCM), torpedo defense, and submarine-based Ballistic Missile Defense (BMD).

Session Two will focus on improving the submarine’s capabilities to conduct irregular warfare and support Special Operating Forces. Technical topics should include SSGN and “stretch” Virginia capabilities related to Irregular Warfare, Information Operations (IO), combat submersibles, Large Diameter Tube (LDT) payloads, communications for operating with Special Operating Forces (SOF), SOF-directed cyber attack and call for fire support, and SOF logistic support.

Session Three will focus on means to improve or repurpose the capabilities and effectiveness of submarine weaponry and weapon systems, both offensive and defensive. Technical topics should include weapons capable against shallow draft / shallow water vessels, submarine-based Anti-Air Warfare (AAW), dual-purpose weapons to increase flexibility of forward deployed submarines, technologies to reduce reload times for tube-launched weapons, next generation strike systems, offensive mining, advanced torpedo concepts, payloads providing non-lethal means, cyber warfare, Anti-Torpedo Torpedoes (ATT), and anti-satellite payloads.

Session Four will focus on multiplying the submarine’s impact through unmanned vehicles and sensors. Technical topics should include UUVs, UAVs, autonomy and Command and Control (C2) of unmanned vehicles, remoting weapons, distributed sensors, integration of National Technical Means (NTM), undersea data transmission, and leave-behind sensors.

Session Five will focus on increasing the submarine’s ability to integrate with other forces in the kill chain to provide optimal and survivable operational-level employment of Undersea Forces in the joint targeting cycle. Technical topics should include Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR), third-party targeting (with the submarine as sensor or shooter), communications at speed and depth, network security to ensure data is accurate and valid, C4, and Battle Damage Assessment (BDA).