With critical contributions from CMI2, this open-access volume highlights technical and procedural breakthroughs designed to empower Soldiers and tactical innovation
The West Point Press has officially released Volume One of the Tactical Innovation Symposium – Technical and Procedural Abstracts, marking an important milestone in advancing military and industry collaboration to address frontline challenges.
The final publication, which compiles work presented during the 4th Tactical Innovation Symposium hosted at the United States Military Academy at West Point on April 23, 2025, was published earlier this month (July 2025) and is now available as an open-access volume through the West Point Press Proceedings page.
Developed in close partnership with West Point’s Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, the West Point Center for Applied Engineering, the West Point Werx Innovation Hub, and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Catalyst Pathfinder Program, in conjunction with the Civil-Military Innovation Institute (CMI2), the publication features a wide range of cutting-edge technical and procedural tactical innovations, driven by frontline Soldiers.
The Technical and Procedural Abstracts, Volume One, is fully open-access and can be viewed online from the West Point Press.
Transforming Soldier Ideas into Innovation
Initially developed in FY21, the Pathfinder program established a scalable methodology to:
- Leverage Soldier insights and better align university-based science and technology efforts with end-user requirements.
- Inform academia, small businesses, and government researchers of evolving Army needs, enhancing the connection between research and operational demands.
- Create an integrated, team-based approach that brings together end-users, researchers, and transition stakeholders to address technological challenges and opportunities.
The Pathfinder methodology ultimately served as a foundation for guiding tactical innovation.
About the Abstracts
The Volume One publication includes abstracts categorized into two primary submission tracks:
- Technical Abstracts — These overviews highlight projects or products in development, ranging from early concepts to production-ready systems. They aim to enable replication, promote wider recognition, and support cross-community adoption.
- Procedural Abstracts — These articles focus on innovative processes, operational solutions, and best practices designed to assist tactical innovation officers across different theaters and service branches.
Pathfinder Project Features
Several notable projects supported and developed by the Catalyst-Pathfinder team are prominently featured in the publication, including contributions from the program’s multiple Design, Innovation, Research, and Technology (DIRT) Labs. These collaborative innovation spaces enable specialized solution development to support warfighter technology and modernization efforts.
The publication showcases a diverse range of innovative projects, including a Modular Drone Case designed to enhance SUAS deployment in airborne operations, a Beyond Line-of-Sight Antenna (BLOS-A), and a Mobile Installation and Removal Cart (MIRC) engineered for operational efficiency. It also features insights from the 3rd Infantry Division and the Marne Innovations and Technology Center (a CMI2 DIRT Lab) on tactical innovation in forward environments, along with a forward-looking analysis titled Outlining Forward Innovation as an Army Requirement.
Other initiatives highlighted include 3D-printed drones, the Assistant Machine Gunner’s Bag, and the Collection Management Workspace (CMW) Abstract. Together, these projects illustrate practical solutions and conceptual advancements that support tactical agility, operational effectiveness, and increased lethality.
For more information on the Catalyst Pathfinder Program, review the FY24 Year in Review on Pathfinder.Army.
