The combat efficiency of forces can be increased by reducing the physiological and psychological effects of operating in a CB contaminated environment by possessing the ability to constantly monitor for the presence of CB warfare agents. Information provided by a CB warfare agent detection network that can detect, identify, map, quantify, and track the threat in the operational theater will provide commanders the situational awareness necessary for command decisions. A "real-time" detection network composed of chemical sensors integrated into individual battledress, weapon platforms, and stand-alone units linked to the C3I system will process and integrate sensor data with geographical, meteorological, and intelligence data to provide an up-to-date and time-projected CB warfare situational threat analysis. The network will provide situational awareness on different levels depending on the need.
3.1.2.1 Goals and Timeframes. The goal of the Detection subarea is to provide a real-time capability to detect, identify, map, quantify, track, and disseminate information on the presence of all CB warfare agent threats at levels below incapacitation/physiological significant effects. Current emphasis is on multi-agent sensors for CB point and early warning detection. To meet the needs of the next 3 to 5 years, a number of sensors targeted against either chemical or biological agents are being developed while detection technology matures. In particular, a pocket-sized chemical vapor point detector and an automated biological point detector will be available in this timeframe. In the near-term, a selection between competing point chemical detection technologies (ion mobility spectroscopy vs. surface acoustic wave) will be made in order to transition one out of tech base for development as a fielded system. Similarly during the near-term, a decision on the optimal technological approach for early warning of chemical and biological threats (remote vs. standoff) will be made. Far term objective technologies will focus on the integration of chemical and biological detection into a single sensor suite.
3.1.2.2 Major Technical Challenges. The CB Defense technology area includes a number of different technologies; they range from analytical and materials characterization techniques such as various forms of spectroscopy and bioassay technologies, materials development, to engineering concepts and information technology (computer/communication hardware and software). The technical challenges are to enhance sensitivity and selectivity, increase number of detectable CB agents, decrease response time, enhance sampling techniques, discriminate from naturally occurring background materials, develop advanced signal processing for detection algorithms, reduce size, weight and power requirements, integrate data with threat models, integrate sensor systems into C3I system, increase computational/communication capabilities, reduce cost, and minimize logistical requirements.
This is being accomplished by the development of new immunoassay systems, deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA or genetic) probes, materials for coatings, infrared/ultraviolet (IR/UV) lasers, mass spectrometric technologies for biologicals as well as chemicals, improvements in previously explored technologies such as surface acoustic wave technology, non-radioactive ionization sources, optics, and pre-concentrators, and nonspecific concepts/strategies like whole cells as a detector, naturally occurring chemical markers in biological materials, enhanced Raman spectroscopy techniques for liquid contaminants on surfaces or contaminants in water, or sampling techniques for collection or introduction into various point detection systems and efforts to understand and characterize biological/chemical/physical properties and physiological effects of CB agents. In addition, technologies are being explored for micromechanical fluidics technologies for sample processing and for imbedding separation and identification technologies in chip-sized devices.
Process and materials engineering, thermal management, component integration, fluidics management and other new engineering concepts are reducing system size, weight, power, and response time and optimizing detector configurations and logistical requirements. These new engineering concepts combined with the efforts in the fundamental sciences are producing advances in technology such as IR/UV detectors that are more uniform, have higher sensitivity and efficiency, and function under conditions close to ambient temperatures instead of -200C, new lasers that have high outputs, use less power, smaller in size and weight, and have wider frequency ranges, and selective sampling systems that are more efficient.
The information technologies are responsible for developing new signal processing techniques to analyze sensor data and integrating the information to the threat models along with geographical, meteorological and intelligence data for dissemination in the C3I system. The information technologies must be able to handle a tremendous amount data, both for processing and manipulation through the network. The CB Defense technology area is responsible for the development/advancement of software algorithms for pattern recognition, signal processing, artificial intelligence, expert systems, virtual 3-D simulations, and the computer/human interface. The actual computational/communication hardware (design of computer/electronic chips) are outside the scope of the CB Defense technology area.
3.1.2.3 Related Federal and Private Sector Efforts. Chemical and biological detection is a specialized subset of a much larger environmental health and safety area. All CB detection technology, in principal, can be modified to address the larger picture of environmental health and safety. The ability to detect, identify, map, monitor, quantify, and track industrial hazardous and medically infectious materials is considered highly desirable by the commercial sector. The potential benefits of dual-use for the CB detection technology are already being developed through collaborative efforts with environmental and medical groups. In many of these areas the private sector is working on leap ahead technologies which can be applied to CB Defense problems. Modified versions of a DoD prototype detection system are being used/developed by other government agencies (OGA) and the private sector for use in non-CB Defense capacities.
There is a significant synergy that requires a continuing dialog between defense developers and private industry/academia. CB Defense environments carry with them unique requirements in terms of ruggedness, power and other logistical requirements thus transition of technology from non-CB Defense applications require a significant reengineering effort. Basic research currently being pursued by the national laboratories, OGAs, academia, and the private sector can be used as a foundation to build the future generations of CB Defense detection system.
3.1.3 CB Detection S&T Investment Strategy
3.1.3.1 Technology Demonstrations
The purpose of this demonstration is to significantly
enhance DoD's capability to detect, identify and warn all Services' members on the battlespace
against biological agent attacks. Integration of state-of-the-art detection technologies will be
linked with communication and warning systems currently not available. A remotely-deployed,
early warning biological aerosol detection system will provide local and immediate alert of a
biological attack against high value battlefield assets. Enhanced detection and identification
technologies with improved sensitivity, selectivity, specificity, and extended range of agents will
be demonstrated for application in the Joint Service Biological Point Detection System
(J-BPDS).
Battlespace simulation and agent simulant outdoor field trials will be used to assess the
effectiveness of these technologies.
Air Base/Port Bio Detection ACTD. The Air Base/Port Bio Detection ACTD program will provide extensive biological warfare agent detection, protection, and hazard assessment capability to select Air Ports of Debarkation (APOD) and Sea Ports of Debarkation (SPOD) in foreign allied countries. While the primary focus is on point detection, this program will also demonstrate the necessary individual protection (extended wear mask), collective protection (full or partial systems for selected facilities) and a capability to collect sensor information and communicate downwind hazard assessments to the next higher level of command. A limited demonstration of the key components and a representative portion of the full system will be demonstrated in CONUS with one port and one airfield fully equipped. This program will support the operation of the system for two years after installation. The intent is to install and operate the full system at foreign APOD/SPOD; CENTCOM and PACOM support this program.
3.1.3.2 Technology Development. The technology development areas for CB Defense are point detection, early warning detection and information processing and dissemination. Point detection encompasses all sampling (in situ) detectors both chemical and biological. In addition the area includes early warning standoff or remote detectors (i.e. sampling detectors on an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) or positioned at a distance from the troops with communication via wire or radio link). Early warning detection are technologies that electromagnetically observe clouds at a distance including any non-in situ techniques even if they operate through very short (centimeter) distances. Information processing and dissemination technologies will collect and process all detection system information then disseminate through the C3I network. The detection subarea has been narrowed and focused from over 40 efforts into 9 areas by the recommendations of the Joint Detection Working Group to consolidate the various Service's Science and Technology efforts.
3.1.3.3 Basic Research. The basic research for this subarea is in mass spectroscopy
techniques/technologies, optical spectroscopy (includes a wide range of techniques/
technologies),
olfactory-like chemical sensing, aerosol sciences, whole cell based biosensors, immuno and
DNA
assay, molecular approaches to optical sensors, micro-machines, proximal probes and laser
development. Basic research relies on work performed by national laboratories, other
government agencies, academia, and the private sector in addition to CB defense programs.