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Archive for the ‘CBRNE’ Category

Nuclear War Simulator

Wednesday, February 15th, 2023

The Nuclear War Simulator describes itself as a detailed realistic simulation and visualization of large-scale nuclear conflicts with a focus on humanitarian consequences.

The simulator allows you to design warheads, missiles, and carriers, place them on the map and execute attack plans to tell a credible story about how nuclear conflicts play out and what the consequences are. Using a high-resolution population density map and realistic weapons effects like blast, heat, and radiation you can make an estimate of how many people will die in a conflict.

Pretty heavy stuff.

Even in its infancy, nuclear war planning began to dehumanize the consequences by broadly mentioning the tens and even hundreds of millions of casualties, due to the sheer magnitude of damage possible.

You can plan a campaign consisting of up to thousands of warheads and target each individually or rely upon AI to help you out in the event you don’t have a massive target shop to help you out. Imagine visualizing Wing Attack Plan R.

Now this is where things get really interesting. Want to make the prospects of nuclear combat personal? Individual humans can be placed on the map, travel, and take shelter to analyze the effects and estimate injuries and survival probability. Place you, your family, or others right into the scenario.

Now available on Steam.

nuclearwarsimulator.com

Posted in CBRNE, Cold War | 14 Comments »

Kromek Leads a Technology Showcase and Seminar at the Royal Academy of Engineering

Tuesday, February 14th, 2023

Kromek, the radiation detection specialists, has hosted its annual seminar and future concepts showcase at the Royal Academy of Engineering in London. A group of international experts presented and discussed the options for the future deployment of detection systems to help make the world a safer place.

One of the most important conclusions reached was that better decisions are made when decision makers have access to accurate, timely, meaningful data. This was amply illustrated by the fascinating talk and discussion led by Dr Vincent Tang from Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), who was the Programme Manager of the US SIGMA programme, which built a data provision and analysis network system. The fascinating session was backed up by a lively discussion on the utility and deployment of the SIGMA Network and the need to provide robust, deployable and effective modern detectors. Such detectors must have the capability to rapidly provide useable data that can be processed into formats decision makers can use without difficulty.

The counterpoint to this was an equally fascinating presentation of the impact the War in Ukraine has had on the radiation detection system in that country. This session showed the utility of the deployability, sensitivity and effectiveness of the Kromek Radiation detection systems. Dr Oleg Voitsekhovych, Head of the Environmental Monitoring Department of the Ukrainian Hydrometerological Institute in Kyiv joined the seminar by zoom and his colleague Matthew Wrigley, Head of Operations in Ukraine for Hala, was present in person. They elaborated on the efforts to rebuild and develop the system in Ukraine. Some of the current system has been rendered useless by hazards of the war and Russian activity, while some of it is nearly obsolete. They also briefed the audience on the challenges of keeping the system operational in the light of the proximity to conflict areas of both the Chernobyl and Zaporizhzhia nuclear plants and the irresponsible behaviour by the Russians in such dangerous sites.

There was a specific session on Kromek’s suite of radiation detectors, including the launch of its newest static node detector, the Static Note R, which is equipped with both cellular and satellite connectivity for enhanced endurance in remote or high-hazard situations. It has sufficient power for a seven-day period and has a built-in full-spectral capability. Additional enhancements to existing detectors were also unveiled, including the new languages capability for the handheld D5 RIID.

Kromek’s demonstration of its radiological capabilities was backed up by a presentation on biological detection. Here, the rapid advances in the capability and deployability of Kromek’s multi sequencing rapid biological detector was a key point of the discussion and was given weight by the fact that the system is designed to be deployed against health pandemics as well as war-fighting agents.

Dr Arnab Basu, Chief Executive of Kromek said: “We were delighted to host a global panel of experts to discuss the importance of radiation detection and resilience in a time of conflict. The war in Ukraine has heightened public awareness of the genuine risks of a radiological incident and the need for national programmes for detection and resilience.

Posted in CBRNE, International, Press Release, Sensors | Comments Off on Kromek Leads a Technology Showcase and Seminar at the Royal Academy of Engineering

Beez Combat Systems PAPR Pouch and CBRN Tube Covers

Thursday, February 9th, 2023

BCS PAPR Pouch and CBRN Tube Covers.

Available Now.

Posted in CBRNE | Comments Off on Beez Combat Systems PAPR Pouch and CBRN Tube Covers

PACAF Visits Kunsan AB, Validates Next-Gen Aircrew Protection

Saturday, January 28th, 2023

KUNSAN AIR BASE, South Korea (AFNS) —

Pacific Air Forces recently deployed a joint team of representatives and subject matter experts to Kunsan Air Base, conducting the major command’s first test and validation of counter-chemical warfare tactics, techniques and procedures, or TTP.

These tests are part of the Next Generation Aircrew Protection program, designed to ensure aircrew have proper chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear, or CBRN, protective equipment and that CBRN measures are modernized to meet emerging threats while maintaining peak human performance.

“Current aircrew and pilot CBRN protective equipment are effective but restrictive and burdensome, thus hindering combat effectiveness,” said Chief Master Sgt. Charles Hall, PACAF aircrew flight equipment major command functional manager. “The Air Force realized this in late 2021 and early 2022 and set aside about $16 million to conduct research on aircraft, ground and air testing across various platforms to collect quantitative and qualitative data.”

Armed with the data, researchers refined existing TTPs to better equip aircrews, like Kunsan AB’s, with the tools necessary to continue the ‘Fight Tonight’ mission.

“Wing commanders have an associated risk attached to nearly every decision they make,” said Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Rios, PACAF AFE command manager. “With the integrated data and refined TTPs, wing commanders now have additional information to help them make those tough decisions and continue executing their mission should a CBRN event occur.”

The TTPs are the brainchild of Col. Daniel Roberts, who now serves as 97th Medical Group commander at Altus Air Force Base, Oklahoma.

“Risk is ever-present,” Roberts said. “Looking at combat operations in a chemical environment brings the question to mind; ‘How does one balance and right-size risk to improve combat effectiveness?’ Thinking this way allowed us to improve human performance and the ability of our ground crews to turn aircraft in an effective manner so our combat forces are ready when called upon.”

The program’s tests and validations affected several base agencies to include the 35th and 80th Fighter Squadrons, 8th Operations Support Squadron AFE, 8th Civil Engineer Squadron emergency management, 8th Maintenance Group and the 8th Medical Group bioenvironmental engineering flight.

Participating Airmen tested the updated CBRN TTPs safely and efficiently by stepping, launching and recovering a flying mission in a simulated chemical filled environment.

The PACAF team is scheduled to validate every installation within the MAJCOM and ultimately will establish standardized PACAF-wide counter-chemical warfare aircrew protection measures. Efforts like this help ensure Kunsan AB maintains maximum combat readiness capabilities to support a free and open Indo-Pacific.

By SSgt Isaiah J. Soliz, 8th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

Posted in Air Force, CBRNE, Guest Post | Comments Off on PACAF Visits Kunsan AB, Validates Next-Gen Aircrew Protection

US Army Units Hone Skills Together at Defense Nuclear Weapons School

Tuesday, January 10th, 2023

KIRTLAND AIR FORCE BASE, N.M. — Units from the U.S. military’s premier all hazards command trained together during a radiological course at the Defense Nuclear Weapons School on Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.

Soldiers from the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command’s 1st Area Medical Laboratory and Nuclear Disablement Teams both participated in the Applied Radiological Response Techniques Level 2 course.

The five-day course is designed to apply radiological hazard theories and develop applied radiological problem-solving methods.

“Approximately 20 percent of the course is conducted in detector laboratories while the remaining course time is dedicated to hands-on radiological experiences and the interpretation of survey data,” said Capt. David D. Manzanares, a Nuclear Medical Science Officer from Nuclear Disablement Team 1. Originally from Miami, Manzanares has been in the U.S. Army for 18 years and served overseas in Baumholder, Germany.

NDTs contribute to the nation’s strategic deterrence by staying ready to exploit and disable nuclear and radiological weapons of mass destruction infrastructure and components to deny near-term capability to adversaries and facilitate WMD elimination operations. The U.S. Army has three NDTs — the NDT 1 “Manhattan,” NDT 2 “Iron Maiden” and NDT 3 “Vandals.”

The 1st AML identifies and evaluates health hazards through unique medical laboratory analyses and rapid health hazard assessments of nuclear, biological, chemical, endemic disease, occupational and environmental health threats. The one-of-a-kind medical laboratory is based on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

Together with the 1st AML and three NDTs, the 20th CBRNE Command is home to 75 percent of the active-duty Army’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) technicians and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear (CBRN) specialists, as well as five Weapons of Mass Destruction Coordination Teams.

Headquartered on Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland, the 20th CBRNE Command has units on 19 bases in 16 states that take on the world’s most dangerous hazards in support of joint, interagency and allied operations around the world.

Tracing its roots to the Manhattan Project, the Defense Nuclear Weapons School provides training on radiological and nuclear weapons, incident command and response and CBRNE modeling for the U.S. Department of Defense and other Federal, state and local agencies.

The school is accredited by the American Council on Education, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the State of New Mexico.

Col. Matthew J. Grieser, the commander of the 1st Area Medical Laboratory, and his senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Jackie S. Mims, visited the Soldiers during the course.

Grieser is a native of Mulino, Oregon, who has deployed to Afghanistan four times and Iraq five times. He has also served in Haiti, Panama and New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.

“The skills gained from this course will make us even more effective,” said Grieser. “It takes teamwork to tackle the kinds of challenges that we confront and we have many great partners, including the professionals at the Defense Nuclear Weapons School.”

By Walter Ham

Posted in Army, CBRNE, Guest Post, Training | Comments Off on US Army Units Hone Skills Together at Defense Nuclear Weapons School

US Army’s 3d CR Troopers Test New CBRN Protection Garments

Wednesday, December 21st, 2022

FORT HOOD, Texas—3d Cavalry Regiment Troopers took part in testing new Chemical, Biological, Radiation, and Nuclear protection garments here Dec. 5-8.

The Chemical, Biological Duty Uniform (CBDU), is still in the testing phase but is projected to replace the Joint Service Lightweight Integrated Suit Technology (JSLIST) and fielded in the next few years.

Features of the new CBDU improve on the fitting, comfort, weight, temperature regulation, and CBRN protection – much needed upgrades from the JSLIST Troopers are currently fielded, according to Tiffany Swidrak, a test support analyst for the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense – General Purpose team.

“We’re doing simple simulations by having the [Trooper] wear the garments and move around in them while we take measurements,” said Dr. Todd Garlie, a research anthropologist from U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command. “It’s critical that we get Soldiers’ feedback on how the garments fit. If you don’t have good fitting equipment, you can’t perform your mission.”

The new CBDU is both lighter and cooler than the current JSLIST, mainly due to how it is worn. It is integrated into the duty uniform, rather than being a separate set of overgarments.

“It feels like you’re wearing a thicker set of pajamas,” said Staff Sgt. Zachary Keel, a cavalry scout leader assigned to 4th Squadron, 3d CR. “I think it’s a big improvement to the JSLIST.”

The CBDU has been in the testing phase for several months and will soon be fielded across most branches of the military.

“Our goal at (USACCDC) is that we optimize the equipment,” said Garlie “The mission is simple. Protect the Soldier, bring them home safely.”

Story by SSG Christopher Stewart

3d Cavalry Regiment Public Affairs Office

Posted in Army, CBRNE, Guest Post | Comments Off on US Army’s 3d CR Troopers Test New CBRN Protection Garments

SOFWERX – AIM Micro Sensors Assessment Event Update

Friday, November 4th, 2022

SOFWERX, in collaboration with the USSOCOM, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC), the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), and the Accelerator for Innovative Minds (AIM), will host a series of events leveraging their hybrid accelerator model to identify Micro Sensor technologies available now, under development, or anticipated to be developed in the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction (CWMD) and Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, and Explosives (CBRNE) areas.

There’s been a change to the timing of the AIM Micro Sensors Assessment Event (AE). Now, it’s takes place on 18-20 January. Subsequently, other event phases have been revised. Please visit events.sofwerx.org/aimmicrosensors for the most up-to-date information and to submit.

Interested parties must submit NLT 23 November 2022 11:59 PM ET.

Posted in CBRNE, Sensors, SOF | Comments Off on SOFWERX – AIM Micro Sensors Assessment Event Update

HHS Purchases Drug for Use in Radiological and Nuclear Emergencies

Saturday, October 15th, 2022

As part of long-standing, ongoing efforts to be better prepared to save lives following radiological and nuclear emergencies, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is purchasing a supply of the drug Nplate from Amgen USA Inc; Nplate is approved to treat blood cell injuries that accompany acute radiation syndrome in adult and pediatric patients (ARS).

Amgen, based in Thousands Oaks, California, developed Nplate for ARS with support from the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), part of the HHS Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response (ASPR), as well as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the National Institutes of Health.

BARDA is using its authority provided under the 2004 Project Bioshield Act and $290 million in Project BioShield designated funding to purchase this supply of the drug. Amgen will maintain this supply in vendor-managed inventory. This approach decreases life-cycle management costs for taxpayers because doses that near expiration can be rotated into the commercial market for rapid use prior to expiry and new doses can be added to the government supply.

ARS, also known as radiation sickness, occurs when a person’s entire body is exposed to a high dose of penetrating radiation, reaching internal organs in a matter of seconds. Symptoms of ARS injuries include impaired blood clotting as a result of low platelet counts, which can lead to uncontrolled and life-threatening bleeding.

To reduce radiation-induced bleeding, Nplate stimulates the body’s production of platelets. The drug can be used to treat adults and children.

Nplate is also approved for adult and pediatric patients with immune thrombocytopenia, a blood disorder resulting in low platelet counts. Repurposing drugs for acute radiation syndrome that also are approved for a commercial indication helps to sustain availability of the product and improves healthcare provider familiarity with the drug.

Posted in CBRNE, Contracts, Medical, Press Release | 4 Comments »