NUCLEAR-BIOLOGICAL-CHEMICAL(NBC) DEFENSE SYSTEMS

A wide range of items and systems pro-vide today’s warfighter with contamina-tion avoidance, protection, decontamina-tion and obscuration capabilities. Severalrepresentative examples are provided be-low.

Contamination AvoidanceThe United States has fielded several

types of nuclear detection and monitoringsystems to assist in contamination avoid-ance. A family of radiological detection in-dication and computation (Radiac) equip-ment is being fielded to U.S. forces to up-grade 30-year-old technology with digitalequipment that incorporates advances inmodern electronics.

Radiac provides soldiers and comman-ders with nuclear radiation detectionequipment, allowing them to fight effec-tively and survive on the nuclear battle-field. It also minimizes nuclear radiationexposure of troops during such peacetimemissions as peacekeeping, nuclear-acci-dent response, and recovery of vehiclesand equipment containing radioactive ma-terial.

The AN/UDR-13 Radiac Set is a com-pact, handheld, pocket-size tactical radia-tion meter. It measures and displays

gamma dose rate and total gamma/neu-tron cumulative dose in a battlefield envi-ronment.

A push-button pad enables mode selec-tion, functional control and the setting ofaudio and visual alarm thresholds for bothdose rate and mission dose. A “sleep”mode with automatic wake-up enhancesbattery life. A liquid crystal display pro-vides data readout and warning-modemessages. As a replacement for the olderIM-93/PP-1578, UDR-13 improvements in-clude prompt dose measurement, includ-ing neutrons, alarms and rate measure-ment; backlit display; and stable readingsand calibration. It does not need a separatecharger.

The AN/VDR-2 Radiac Set detects andmeasures nuclear radiation from falloutand radioisotopes. The system replaces the

older IM-174 and AN/PDR-27. It performsground radiological surveys from vehiclesor, in the dismounted mode, as a handheldinstrument. The set can also provide aquantitative measure of radiation to helppersonnel, equipment and supply decont-amination operations.

Components of the Radiac set includethe Radiac meter IM-243, probe DT-616and a pouch with strap. Kits are availableas common table of allowances items forinstallation of the Radiac set in variousmilitary vehicles.

The set includes an audible and/or vi-sual alarm that is compatible with vehicu-lar nuclear-biological-chemical (NBC) pro-tective systems in armored vehicles, and italso interfaces with vehicular power sys-tems and intercoms.

The AN/PDR-75 Radiac Set measuresthe prompt and residual gamma doses andneutron doses stored on the DT-236 indi-vidual dosimeter from 1 to 1,000 centigray(cGy). The system provides a new opera-tional capability to monitor and record thetotal dose exposure of individual person-nel to gamma and neutron radiation. Itmeasures total neutron and gamma doses

October 2009 n ARMY 387

AN/UDR-13 Radiac set

from 0 to 1,000 cGy, and it responds to andmeasures prompt radiation from nuclearbursts. It will be used to calculate unit ra-diation status and to perform medicaltriage and assist in unit reconstitution.

The AN/PDR-77 Radiac Set detects andmeasures alpha, beta, gamma and X-rayradiation. The system replaces the olderAN/PDR-56F and AN/PDR-60, which re-lied on aging technology and were notsensitive enough to accomplish the Army’salpha detection mission.

The AN/PDR-77 is based on the AN/VDR-2. It includes an alpha probe, betagamma probe and X-ray probe. The set hasa digital liquid crystal display, is auto-ranging and has programmable audioand/or visual alarm thresholds. This is theprimary Radiac device to respond to nu-clear accidents and maintain Army equip-ment containing radioactive materials.

The Multipurpose Integrated ChemicalAgent Alarm (MICAD) is an integratednuclear, biological and chemical detectionwarning and reporting system to be usedin area warning, combat and armored ve-hicles, and tactical van and shelter missionprofiles. MICAD automates the currentlylaborious NBC warning-and-reportingprocess throughout the battlefield. It auto-mates the gathering of NBC contaminationdata from fielded NBC detectors and sen-sors and automatically formats and trans-mits alarms and reports up the chain ofcommand throughout the battlefield.

MICAD provides a communications in-terface to NBC sensors, provides warningsof chemical and nuclear attacks through-out the battlefield and automatically gen-erates NBC-1/NBC-4 reports over existingtactical communications. It operates withthe M22 and an AN/VDR-2 Radiac set. Itinterfaces with global positioning system(GPS) vehicle navigation systems andmodular collective protection equipment;it automates NBC report preparation(NBC-1/NBC-4) and transmission; and itcommunicates via single-channel groundand air radio system, FBCB2 or JWARN. Itsflexible design allows its use in an areawarning role with telemetry link radio.

The M21 Automatic Chemical AgentAlarm is the first standoff chemical agentdetector approved for fielding to the sol-dier. It gives early warning of blister andnerve agents up to 5 kilometers, thus al-lowing field commanders to identify andmaneuver around contaminated areas. Anautomatic scanning, passive infrared sen-sor, it detects agent vapor clouds bychanges that the vapor causes in the back-ground infrared spectra. Scanning a 60-de-gree arc, the M21 sounds a horn and illu-minates either a blister or nerve light. It isfielded in tripod-mounted configurationsas well as mounted on a mast on theM93A1 Fox NBC reconnaissance system.

The M22 Chemical Agent Alarm is an

off-the-shelf alarm system capable of de-tecting and identifying standard blisterand nerve agents. The M22 used the for-eign comparative testing program fordown-selection of the United Kingdom’sGID-3. The M22 system is manportable,operates independently after system start-up, and provides an audible and visualalarm.

The M22 system also provides a com-munications interface for automatic battle-field warning and reporting. The M22 is animprovement over the M8A1 automaticchemical agent alarm system in four majorareas: It provides simultaneous detectionand warning of nerve and blister agents; itis significantly more sensitive than theM8A1; it can operate in a collective protec-tion environment; and it is much less re-sponsive to interference, thus reducingfalse alarms. The M22 is currently fieldedto the Army, Navy, Air Force and MarineCorps.

The Chemical Agent Monitor (CAM)and the Improved CAM (ICAM) providea means of quickly locating the presence orabsence of nerve- and mustard-agent cont-amination on personnel and equipment.

CAM is a handheld device used bytroops in full protective clothing after anattack or exposure to a contaminated area.It provides fast low-level detection ofnerve and mustard vapors, differentiatesbetween nerve and mustard agents, pro-vides an indication of the relative magni-tude of the hazard present and is not af-fected by most common forms of battle-field interference.

The use of the CAM on a chemical bat-tlefield lowers the risk commanders mayhave to take when reducing the level ofmission-oriented protection posture in acombat situation. CAM gives commandersthe ability to quickly monitor for contami-nation, thereby allowing soldiers andequipment to remain engaged in theircombat missions. CAM is also used tocheck the effectiveness of decontaminationoperations.

Like CAM, ICAM is a handheld, soldier-operated, post-attack device for monitor-ing chemical agent contamination. It de-tects chemical agent vapors by sensingmolecular ions of specific mobilities (timeof flight), and uses timing and micro-processor techniques to reject interference.The monitor detects and discriminatesamong nerve and mustard agent vapors.ICAM consists of a drift tube, signalprocessor, molecular sieve, membrane,confidence tester, dust filters, buzzer andbattery pack.

The monitor measures 4 inches by 7inches by 15 inches and weighs approxi-mately 5 pounds. ICAM differs from CAMin its greater reliability (an estimated 300percent improvement), faster start-up time(one-tenth of the time) and significantly re-duced maintenance costs (an estimated$135 million cost savings over the life ofthe system).

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M21 automatic chemical agent alarm

Chemical agent monitor

The Joint Service Lightweight StandoffChemical Agent Detector (JSLSCAD) is anew detection system designed to provideAmerican 21st-century warfighters withstate-of-the-art capability in detecting nerve,blister and blood agent vapor clouds.JSLSCAD is a fully automatic detection sys-tem that searches the surrounding atmos-phere for chemical agent vapor clouds. It isthe first chemical vapor detection system tofurnish 360-degree on-the-move coveragefrom ground-, air- and sea-based platformsat average distances of 2 kilometers. JSLS-CAD will provide warfighters of the fourarmed services with early warning to avoidcontaminated battlespaces or, if avoidance isnot possible, time to don protective masksand clothing.

JSLSCAD is a passive infrared (IR) sys-tem that detects the presence of chemicalagent vapors by processing energy col-lected in the 8- to 12-micron region of theelectromagnetic spectrum. It compares thecollected IR spectra against a library ofknown agent spectra. When detection ismade, JSLSCAD identifies the agent cloudand alerts the warfighter with audible andvisual alarms.

Intended JSLSCAD applications includevarious ground vehicle, shipboard andfixed-emplacement platforms includingM93A1 Fox vehicle, NBC ReconnaissanceVehicle (NBCRV), ships and fixed-site in-

stallations. The design of the JSLSCADprovides for communication with the NBCJoint warning and reporting network(JWARN).

Smoke and other obscurants have beenused in wars dating back to ancient Greece.On today’s battlefield, smoke can counternew generations of smart weapons. Smokeis used as camouflage, as blinding smokelaid directly on enemy positions, and as adecoy to confuse and mislead enemyforces. These basic smoke applications areused to increase survivability, buy maneu-ver time for the attacker, and protect for-ward-assembly areas and high-priorityrear areas for the defense.

Smoke particles scatter or absorb radiantenergy used by troops and smart weaponsfor target acquisition and for weaponguidance and control. Smart-weapon sen-sors operate in three main parts of the elec-tromagnetic spectrum: visible; near-, mid-

and far-infrared wavelengths; and mil-limeter wavelengths.

The most effective scattering smokes areaerosols that are the same size as the oper-ating wavelengths of the sensor to be de-feated. The best smoke for the visible spec-trum may be transparent in the far-in-frared area. The entire chain of electro-op-tical, infrared and millimeter-wave deviceslinking a smart weapon to a target is sus-ceptible to smoke and other obscurants. Inaddition to absorbing light, some smokesemit heat, which can cover or clutter thethermal images of targets.

The reflection of laser or radar beamsfrom smoke clouds can produce false tar-geting information for smart weapons,which can be blinded and defeated bysmoke. Battlefield obscurants allow com-batants to take advantage of technologyovermatch. In Operation Desert Storm, U.S.ground forces used infrared-viewer tech-nology at night to achieve dramatic results.

The Army uses several models of smoke-generation systems, including the M56Coyote, the M58 Wolf, the M157A2 Lynxand the M1059/M1059A3 Lynx. In addi-tion, the M6 countermeasure dischargerprovides self-screening protection to indi-vidual combat vehicles.

The M56 Coyote Smoke-GenerationSystem (SGS) provides large-area obscu-ration in the visual and infrared spectra. It

October 2009 n ARMY 389

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is a Humvee-mounted, large-area, smoke-generator system. In addition to providingenhanced spectrum coverage, the M56 sys-tem provides smoke generators with anew wheeled-vehicle platform. The sys-tem is mounted on the new expanded-ca-pacity M113 Humvee and provides greaterpayload capacity and higher mobility forsupporting smoke units.

Six M56 Coyotes form a smoke platoon.They support light and airborne maneuverunits by disseminating smoke on the moveor from stationary positions to defeat en-emy sensors and smart munitions, such astank thermal sights, guided munitions, di-rected energy weapons and other systemsoperating in the visible through far-in-frared regions of the electromagnetic spec-trum. The system is modular and uses agas turbine engine to disseminate obscu-rants. The visual screening module is ca-pable of vaporizing fog oil at a rate equalto the M157 smoke generator for up to 90minutes.

The infrared screening module can dis-seminate particulate material to provide 30minutes of screening. M56 program plan-ners cite the expanding global use of in-frared targeting and sighting devices forprompting development of the M56 Coy-ote, the Army’s first large-area smoke sys-tem capable of generating visible and in-frared blocking screens.

The M56 Coyote was type-classified“standard” in September 1994 and was fol-lowed by an initial production contractaward for 296 systems in March 1995.First-article and production verificationtesting were successfully completed inSeptember 1996.

By the end of February 2000, 231 sys-tems had been fielded to U.S. Army Train-ing and Doctrine Command, U.S. ArmyForces Command (FORSCOM) and U.S.Army Reserve Command (USARC). Field-ing continues to FORSCOM and USARC.

A materiel change program to add a mil-limeter-wave module provides extendedspectral coverage to defeat threat weaponsystems operating in the millimeter re-gions of the electromagnetic spectrum.

The M58 Wolf Smoke-Generation Sys-tem places the capabilities of the M56 on aderivative of the tracked M113 armoredpersonnel family. In addition to its currentmultispectral obscurant screening capabil-ities, planned materiel changes will allowthe addition of a millimeter-wave (MMW)obscuration module, providing the capa-bility to counter the threat arising from thewide proliferation of advanced visual andinfrared sensors and future MMW sensors.

The chemical smoke platoon consists ofseven M58 vehicles. Six of these are orga-nized into two squads of three and thesmoke platoon leader leads in the seventhvehicle. Missions include providing staticand mobile visual and/or infrared screen-ing (haze, blanket and curtain) to concealground maneuver forces, and supportingbreaching and recovery operations.

The M58 Wolf was type-classified in Au-gust 1995. Following a successful produc-tion verification test, the Wolf received ma-teriel release approval in the first quarter ofFY 1998 and has been successfully fielded.It was fielded to Army Reserve units, alongwith training, late in FY 2000.

The M157A2 Lynx Smoke-GenerationSystem lets Army forces on the move pro-

duce large-area visual smoke screens. Thesystem uses dual-pulse engines operatingon standard Army fuels to produce largeclouds of fog-oil vapor to defeat visualrange observation and tracking methods,including lasers.

Its major components are two M54A2smoke generators, an air compressor as-sembly, a 120-gallon fog-oil tank, a fog-oilpump assembly and a remote-controlpanel. The entire package is mounted onthe rear of an M1037/M1097 Humvee withan M284A1 mounting kit.

The M157A2 effort emerged through apost-Operation Desert Storm integratedproduct team approach that targeted theearlier M54 engine on the M157 system forboth operational cost reduction and sim-plified logistics.

Although the earlier M54 engines reliedon unleaded gasoline only, the newM54A2 pulse jet engines burn any mid-viscosity Army fuel—including diesel, JP4,JP8 and motor gasoline—to produce athick white smoke cloud. Each engine iscapable of vaporizing 40 gallons of fog oilin a one-hour mission.

The M1059/M1059A3 Lynx Smoke-Gen-erator Carrier is an M113A2 armored per-sonnel carrier modified to transport a sin-gle M157 smoke-generating set. The twogenerators, mounted on the roof of the ve-hicle under armor, are remotely controlledfrom inside the vehicle. A 120-gallon fog-oil tank located within the vehicle can gen-erate smoke for approximately one hourwithout refueling. The Army initiallyfielded approximately 200 M1059 systemsbetween 1988 and 1990. Many of these ve-hicle systems have now been converted tothe M1059A3 configuration with the relia-bility improvement for selected equipmentpower upgrade.

The M6 Countermeasure Discharger isa four-tube smoke grenade launcher thatenables combat vehicles to conceal them-selves from hostile surveillance, target ac-quisition and weapon guidance systems.The M6 can fire all Q-STAG 401 conform-ing grenades (66 mm) and interfaces withvehicle integrated defense systems.

Biological DetectionThe M31A1 Biological Integrated De-

tection System (BIDS) mitigates the ef-fects of biological warfare attacks duringall phases of a campaign. As a corps-levelasset, it is employed by a dedicated biolog-ical defense company to detect large-areabiological attacks.

The BIDS network provides the basis forwarning and confirming that a biologicalattack has occurred. The system providespresumptive identification and produces asafety-configured sample for later labora-tory analysis.

The M31A1 detection system is made upof a shelter (S788 lightweight multipur-

390 ARMY n October 2009

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pose shelter) mounted on a dedicatedvehicle (M1097 heavy Humvee) andequipped with a biological detection suite.The systems include a trailer-mounted 15-kilowatt generator (PU-801) to provideelectrical power, a GPS receiver (AN/PSN-11 PLGR), tactical and long-range commu-nications equipment (SINCGARS andHarris HF radios) and a meteorologicalsensor.

BIDS uses multiple complementary tech-nologies to detect various characteristics ofa biological aerosol attack. BIDS integratesaerodynamic particle sizing, luminescence,fluorescence, flow cytometry, mass spec-trometry and immunoassay technologiesin a hierarchical, layered manner to in-

crease detection confidence and system re-liability. BIDS detects all types of biologicalagents and identifies specific agents of in-terest. The system can be easily upgradedor modified to identify other additionalagents, based on changes in threat condi-tions. BIDS will detect any eight agents inless than 10 minutes and identify them, si-multaneously, in less than 30 minutes. Thesystem collects a sample for confirmatoryanalysis and report detection and identifi-cation results by voice transmission.

The M93A1 Fox Nuclear-Biological-Chemical Reconnaissance System (NBCRS)is a dedicated system of nuclear and chem-ical sampling, detection and warning equip-ment, and biological sampling equipment

integrated into a high-speed, high-mobil-ity, six-wheel armored vehicle. It is capableof performing NBC reconnaissance on pri-mary, secondary or cross-country routesthroughout the battlefield. The M93A1 isthe Block 1 improvement of the M93 FOXNBCRS Interim System to meet all of therequirements of the approved required op-erational characteristics, and reduces thecrew size to three. It is capable of detectingchemical contamination in its immediateenvironment through point detection, andat a distance through the use of a standoffdetector (M21 Chemical Agent DetectorAlarm). It automatically integrates conta-mination information from detectors withinput from onboard navigation and meteo-rological systems and automatically trans-mits digital NBC warning messages throughthe maneuver control system to warn fol-low-on forces. The M93A1P1 uparmoredconfiguration added improved weaponand slat armor to improve crew survivabil-ity.

The Joint Biological Point DetectionSystem (JBPDS) is the first fully auto-mated biological threat agent detection,collection and identification suite designedfor employment by all four services.

JBPDS is a modular system that pro-

October 2009 n ARMY 391

M93 Fox vehicle

vides both continuous and real-timeaerosol detection with presumptive identi-fication for up to 10 agents simultaneouslywithin 18 minutes. Upon positive identifi-cation, the user is alerted by both an audi-ble and visual alarm. Each identified sam-ple is safely collected and packaged forlaboratory analysis. Both remote and localmonitoring is available.

The modular design of the JBPDS pro-vides not only an open architecture for up-grade insertion, but also the capability toremain in operation even if one of thecomponents fails.

The JBPDS is available in four differentconfigurations (portable, shelter, ship-board and trailer) to provide a commondetection and identification capability forjoint interoperability and supportability.JBPDS integrated platforms include BIDS,Stryker reconnaissance vehicle (RV), sur-face ships and Joint Service LightweightNBC Reconnaissance System. JBPDS alsosupports homeland defense operations.

The M31E2 JBPDS-BIDS is an Armyvariant composed of an S788 lightweightmultipurpose shelter mounted on a dedi-cated vehicle M1097 or M1113 Humveewith digital communication (FBCB2) andan onboard generator. It is a corps-level as-set employed by a dedicated biological de-fense company to detect large-area biologi-cal attacks. The BIDS network provides thebasis for warning and confirming that a bi-ological attack has occurred.

Individual NBC ProtectionThe M40/42-Series Protective Masks, a

family of chemical-biological (CB) protec-tive masks, provide respiratory, eye andface protection against chemical and bio-logical agents, toxins, radioactive particlesand battlefield contaminants. The M40/42series replaces the M17, M25 and M9masks. Features include an improved face

seal for better protection and vision, flexi-bility at temperature extremes, increaseduseful life, weather and ozone resistance,improved soldier comfort, and ease ofcleaning and maintenance.

M40/42-series masks are issued to sol-diers, sailors and marines—the M42A2 toarmored crews and the M40A1 to the bal-ance of the force and U.S. Army MaterielCommand surety sites.

The M40A1 and M42A2 masks have asilicone rubber face piece with an in-turned peripheral face seal and binocularrigid-lens system. The basic mask, theM40A1, includes a face-mounted canisterwith NATO standard threads (gas andaerosol filter) that can be worn on eitherthe left or right side; a drinking tube; andclear and tinted lens “outserts.” When thecanister is attached to a connection hoseand equipped with a canister carrier,larger mask carrier and detachable micro-phone, the mask becomes the M42A2,which is used by all combat-vehicle crewpersonnel. The interchangeability also al-lows the repair of masks using a face pieceassembly while retaining other existing,undamaged parts instead of a total re-placement. This advance saves significantmoney and time.

The M45 Chemical-Biological Protec-tive Mask replaces the M24 and M49 masksystems. The M45 mask supports the LandWarrior program, as well as Joint SpecialOperations Command requirements, andserves as the mask for Army, Navy, AirForce and Marine Corps personnel whocannot be fitted with the standard M40/M40A1, M42/M42A2 or MCU-2A/P pro-tective masks.

The M45 mask provides protection to theface, eyes, head, neck and respiratory tractfrom CB agents and radioactive particleswithout the aid of forced ventilation air,while maintaining compatibility with ro-

tary-wing aircraft-sighting systems andnight-vision devices. The M45 mask con-sists of close-fitting eye lenses, front andside voice-mitter for face-to-face and tele-phone communication, a microphone pass-through for aircraft communications, adrinking tube pass-through, a low-profilecanister interoperable hose assembly to al-low both hose and face-mounted configu-rations, interchangeable nose cups, a rub-ber face piece with an in-turned peripheralseal, and a second skin and hood.

Protection is provided by the agent-re-sistant face piece and second skin andhood.

Although all three components protectthe soldier against CB agents in gaseousform, the second skin and hood provideincreased liquid agent protection. TheLand Warrior configuration does not in-clude the hose assembly, hood, canisterbaffle, microphone or microphone cable.

The mask is available in four sizes, andthe interchangeable nose cups come in fivedifferent sizes to improve fit, comfort andvision. A different nose cup configurationis available for left-hand firing. Vision-cor-rective inserts can be fitted inside the facepiece.

Close-fitting eye lenses are shaped toimprove peripheral vision and are compat-ible with most optical sighting and night-vision devices. Easy use of a drinking sys-tem permits intake of liquids.

The XM50 Joint Service General Pur-pose Chemical-Biological Protective Mask(JSGPM) program will provide the next-generation mask for all U.S. joint serviceground forces.

The JSGPM requirements include meet-ing existing and new threats posed by bothchemical and biological agents and selectedtoxic industrial materials/chemicals thatAmerican forces may face in the future.

Other key performance parameters in-clude a focus on reduced weight and bulk(smaller logistical footprint), compatibilitywith current and emerging equipment, im-proved reliability and an overall improvedmission performance for soldiers, air-crews, marines and sailors. The cradle-to-grave acquisition approach will also focuson reducing the total ownership cost for allservices by replacing the five existing gen-eral-purpose protective masks with thisone item.

The design goals call for significant im-provement (50 percent) over the M40 in theareas of breathing resistance, weight andbulk, compatibility with current and futuresystems, maintenance (50 percent fewerparts), and agent and toxic industrialchemical filtration included in the filter de-sign. Production is planned to run throughFY 2015 for a U.S. acquisition objective ofapproximately 2.2 million masks.

The M43/M48 Chemical-Biological Air-craft Protective Mask provides CB protec-

392 ARMY n October 2009

XM50 joint service general

purpose chemical-biological protective

mask (JSGPM)

tion for Apache aviators and was designedfor compatibility with the AH-64 Apachehelicopter’s integrated helmet and displaysighting system (IHADSS) and optical re-lay tube.

The M43 mask has a form-fitting butylrubber face piece with lenses that mountclose to the eyes; an integrally attached CBhood and a skull-type suspension system;an inhalation air distribution system forregulating the flow of air to the oronasalcavity; lenses and hood; and a pressure-compensated exhalation valve assemblyfor maintaining overpressure in the maskand hood. The overpressure is maintainedby a portable blower/filter system that op-erates on battery or aircraft power andwhich filters air through a pair of C2 canis-ters.

The M43-type I mask has a notchedright-eye lens to allow interface with thehelmet display unit of the IHADSS equip-ment. The mask was specifically designedfor compatibility with the subsystems ofthe AH-64, and it provides protection forthe head, face, eyes and respiratory systemagainst field concentrations of all chemicaland biological agents in liquid and aerosolforms, and against toxins and radioactivefallout particles.

Vision correction is accomplished viacontact lenses. In addition, the mask pro-vides external voice communications and

a drinking tube assembly.M43 is type-classified limited produc-

tion-urgent and is currently fielded to allApache pilots.

The M48 mask, chemical-biologicalApache aviator, is an improved M43A1-se-ries mask (M43-type I) that is used byApache helicopter pilots.

The M48 mask replaces the existing M43blower with a portable lightweight motorblower (LWMB) that provides blown andfiltered air for breathing, lens defoggingand head cooling, thus enabling the air-crew to perform its mission in a CB envi-ronment both inside and outside the air-craft.

During flight operations, the LWMB willbe mounted in the Apache cockpit in thesame location as the M43 blower and canbe quickly removed during an emergencyegress procedure. The M48 was type-clas-sified Standard A in 1996.

Collective ProtectionThe Chemical-Biological Protective

Shelter (CBPS) replaces the M51 collectiveprotection shelter. It consists of a light-weight multipurpose shelter mounted onan expanded-capacity variant Humveeand a 300-square-foot airbeam supportedsoft shelter.

The CBPS provides 72 hours of contami-

October 2009 n ARMY 393

Chemical-biologicalprotective shelter(CBPS)

nation-free, environmentally controlledworking area for medical, combat serviceand combat service support personnel toobtain relief from the need to continuouslywear chemical-biological individual pro-tective clothing. Medical equipment andcrew gear are transported inside the LMSand additional medical equipment is car-ried on a towed high-mobility trailer.

An engineering change (EC) is being im-plemented to replace the hydraulic pow-ered environmental support systems(Model 1) components and eliminate theneed to use the Humvee engine. The ECwill incorporate a self-powered electro-mechanical environmental support system(Model 2). A contract option has been exer-cised to procure 26 CBPS (Model 2) sys-tems.

Chemically Protected Deployable Med-ical Support (CP DEPMEDS) is a con-tainerized set that provides Army DEP-MEDS combat support hospitals with a ca-pability to sustain operations in an NBCenvironment.

This modular system integrates environ-mentally controlled collective protectionelements into the hospital to reduce casu-alties and enhance combat effectiveness.CP DEPMEDS uses M28 collective protec-tion equipment, power, waste and latrinemanagement assets to provide an ex-tended hospital capability.

The M20A1 Simplified Collective Pro-tection Equipment (SCPE) provides aclean-air shelter for use against chemicaland biological warfare agents and radioac-

tive particles. The SCPE is an inflatableshelter which allows personnel to performduties without wearing individual protec-tion equipment. It can be used as a com-mand, control, communication and intelli-gence shelter or as a soldier rest-and-relieffacility.

Information SystemsThe Joint Warning and Reporting Net-

work (JWARN) is based on a commercialoff-the-shelf software package developedby Bruhn New Tech. JWARN hazard pre-diction warning and reporting proceduresfor NBC attacks are based on standardNATO Allied Technical Publication (ATP)-45procedures. JWARN was designed to al-low warfighters to determine and displayNBC hazard areas resulting from the useof NBC weapon systems and dissemina-tion devices. JWARN has the ability to pro-vide hazard estimates of onset times andduration of hazard. JWARN also providesdatabase management to store informationused to warn units and can generate thestandard ATP-45 message set and over-lays. The program operates in exercise andoperational modes.

394 ARMY n October 2009

“What was your favorite war?”