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Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

Medical Aspects of Chemical Warfare (2008) - The Black Vault

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<strong>Chemical</strong> Defense EquipmentabFig. 17-24. (a) <strong>The</strong> M21 remote sensing chemical agentalarm (RSCAAL) deployed in a stationary position. (b) <strong>The</strong>RSCAAL mounted on a Fox nuclear, biological and chemicalreconnaissance system allows commanders to identifycontaminated areas and maneuver around them.Photographs: Courtesy <strong>of</strong> Joint Product Manager, NBC ContaminationAvoidance, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.either a blister or nerve agent light. 14,24Usually, the M21 is placed facing into the wind. Itmeasures and stores a background spectrum that isthen analyzed by an onboard microcomputer, whichmakes agent/no agent decisions based on ambientradiance levels. Response time is 1 minute or less. <strong>The</strong>sensitivity <strong>of</strong> the M21 for detecting nerve agents (GA,GB, and GD) is 90 mg/m 3 ; for vesicants its sensitivityis 500 mg/m 3 for lewisite and 2,300 mg/m 3 for sulfurmustard. 14,24This system will provide enhanced early warning toallow personnel to avoid chemically contaminatedbattlespace or, when avoidance is not possible, provideextra time to don MOPP gear or achieve the appropriateMOPP level. 14,24,28Joint Services Lightweight Stand<strong>of</strong>f <strong>Chemical</strong> AgentDetector<strong>The</strong> joint services lightweight stand<strong>of</strong>f chemicalagent detector is a state-<strong>of</strong>-the-art detection systemdesigned to provide US forces with enhanced capabilityin detecting chemical warfare agents, significantlyimproving on the capabilities <strong>of</strong> the currently fieldedM21 alarm. <strong>The</strong> lightweight, passive, and fully automaticsystem scans the surrounding atmosphere forchemical warfare agent vapors. <strong>The</strong> detector providesstand<strong>of</strong>f detection and warning for nerve, blister, andblood agent vapor clouds. It furnishes on-the-move,360° coverage from a variety <strong>of</strong> tactical and reconnaissanceplatforms at distances up to 5 km (Figure 17-25).Fig. 17-25. Joint services lightweight stand<strong>of</strong>f chemical agentdetector (JSLSCAD) mounted on a Stryker nuclear, biological,chemical reconnaissance vehicle (NBCRV).Photograph: Courtesy <strong>of</strong> Joint Product Manager, NBC ContaminationAvoidance, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.579

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