# SWaP-C **Entity class:** Engineering constraint framework **Expansion:** Size, Weight, Power, and Cost ## Definition **SWaP-C** is a compact way to express the size, weight, power, and cost constraints that determine whether a technology can be carried, powered, sustained, and fielded in an operational environment. Some communities use closely related expansions that include cooling; the governing document should control the exact expansion. ## Relationships - **field demonstrations:** [[wiki/Thunderstorm Technology Demonstration and Experimentation|Thunderstorm Technology Demonstration and Experimentation]], [[wiki/Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event|Experimental Demonstration Gateway Event]], and [[wiki/USSOCOM Technical Experimentation Events|USSOCOM Technical Experimentation Events]]. - **edge architecture:** [[wiki/Edge Computing|Edge Computing]]. - **collection:** [[collections/Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and the Intelligence Environment|Terrorism, Counterterrorism, and the Intelligence Environment]]. ## Sources / Provenance - [Naval Postgraduate School — field experimentation context](https://nps.edu/web/eag/jifx-operational-energy-enterprises) ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > "Preference is for lightweight, integrated, and multi-spectral sensor fusion with minimal A-kit impacts and fitting into existing onboard sensors." > **— USSOCOM**, *accessed September 23, 2026, USSOCOM Capability Areas of Interest* [[reminders/Surveillance/Multi-Spectral Sensor Fusion Should Fit Existing Aircraft Sensors by USSOCOM|Multi-Spectral Sensor Fusion Should Fit Existing Aircraft Sensors by USSOCOM]] > "Hostile Fire Indicating System (HFIS): Develop a low power multi-spectral sensor suitable for detecting, classifying, and geo-locating various forms of incoming hostile fire to SOF aircraft." > **— USSOCOM**, *accessed September 23, 2026, USSOCOM Capability Areas of Interest* [[reminders/Surveillance/Hostile-Fire Sensors Should Detect Classify and Geolocate by USSOCOM|Hostile-Fire Sensors Should Detect Classify and Geolocate by USSOCOM]] > "Tagging, Tracking and Locating Devices: Low detectability systems that can provide long duration, small form factor, and low detectability communications for rapid and resilient geolocation of individuals, vehicles, or activities across land, air, sea, and space." > **— USSOCOM**, *accessed September 23, 2026, USSOCOM Capability Areas of Interest* [[reminders/Surveillance/Tagging Tracking and Locating Should Rapidly Geolocate Across Domains by USSOCOM|Tagging Tracking and Locating Should Rapidly Geolocate Across Domains by USSOCOM]] > "ISR - Tactical RF Signal Classification: Small devices capable of scanning RF spectrum and reporting classifications of signals found, along with signal related information." > **— USSOCOM**, *accessed September 23, 2026, USSOCOM Capability Areas of Interest* [[reminders/Surveillance/Small Devices Can Classify Tactical Radio-Frequency Signals by USSOCOM|Small Devices Can Classify Tactical Radio-Frequency Signals by USSOCOM]]