Counter Terrorism CBRN Defense

Virtually all DAF/DoD missions need to rapidly detect, identify, and monitor real time CBRN battlefield/domestic dynamics for the efficient use of offensive and defensive resources with the absolute minimum exposure of our personnel to their effects. The DAF need for CBRN defense applies to DAF Operational Imperatives 5 (Resilient Basing) and 7 (Readiness to Deploy and Fight). CBRN defense requires both static defense capability as well as agile employment depending on the operational scenario. OCONUS and austere locations will obviously require a very mobile ad hoc combat oriented detection capability, while CONUS locations cover a broad spectrum of potential terrorist scenarios requiring a mix of ad hoc and fixed location detection. Stateside, the threat of terrorist action includes not only AF bases/facilities but, other AF operations that involve special large scale public events (outdoor and indoor). Such operations would include but are not limited to the annual AF Marathon, local airshows, as well as the National Museum of the US Air Force. In both cases the large public crowds make them high value targets for terrorist activity, they are outside a very controlled perimeter, and in these the AF shares a prime role and responsibility for public safety. To satisfy this broad security need, the AF needs a CBRN detection system that is capable of worldwide deployment, can be positioned ad hoc in real time in a hostile environment, can also be deployed in a static/fixed constellation, and have a common system architecture to ensure integrated operation. This can also be extended to include PBAs, and NTAs/TICs, and Radiation threats. The ability to rapidly detect, identify and monitor chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is imperative for the efficient use of both military and civilian defense resources. This knowledge allows the severity and extent of a hazard to be assessed so that areas that are clean or contaminated can be identified. Furthermore, the information acquired by these systems provides advice to military commanders and first responders, regarding the donning of IPE, sampling, handling, and analysis procedures as well as medical countermeasures, should the need arise. As yet, the æidealÆ detector is not a commercial reality.