Chemical and Biological Defense Program - EMD

The Aerosol Vapor Chemical Agent Detector (AVCAD) is a system that detects chemical agent aerosol and vapor consisting of two configurations, Man-Portable and Shipboard Fixed. AVCAD will perform remote alarm warning and reporting; preventing/mitigating health effects associated with low concentration exposure. AVCAD supports chemical defense missions, including collective protection, base defense, decontamination, reconnaissance, and surveillance. AVCAD Man-Portable is a single detector unit that is capable of integration with mobile platforms to include the Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite Upgrade (NBCRV SSU) effort. AVCAD Shipboard Fixed consists of two detector units, two displays units, sampling lines and integration hardware that will be integrated onto ships. AVCAD benefits the warfighter by providing a sensitive aerosol and vapor chemical detection capability.

The PM2S program transitions efforts to the Chemical and Biological Wearables (CB WEARABLES) program line in FY 2026. The PM2S program develops chemical and biological (CB) exposure software capabilities that analyze physiological data collected from wearable sensors. These capabilities provide commanders with actionable information to maximize warfighter readiness, performance, and enhance resiliency before, during, and after CB operations.

The CB WEARABLES program integrates software capabilities transitioned from the Physiological Monitoring Sensor Suite (PM2S) program line with wearables equipping initiatives. The program develops and equips joint warfighters with software capabilities that analyze physiological data collected from wearable sensors and alert potential exposure to chemical and biological (CB) threats. These software capabilities, which integrate into the hardware-focused decision support tools developed under the CB WEARABLES - Enhanced Biological Defense (ENBD) program, provide commanders with actionable information to maximize warfighter readiness, performance, and resiliency before, during, and after CB operations.

The TCMS will provide a forward deployed contamination mitigation capability (decontaminant and applicator) that allows expeditious execution of decontamination that results in Mission Oriented Protective Posture reduction/removal. TCMS will decontaminate hardened equipment, such as vehicles, weapons and other critical assets. TCMS benefits the warfighter by mitigating risk to personnel by limiting the potential spread of Chemical and Biological (CB) contamination allowing warfighters to continue their mission for an extended period in a high threat, CB contaminated environment and eliminate the need for subsequent decontamination to mitigate contamination on military equipment and allow continuation of mission at a high tempo.

The CB WEARABLES-ENBD effort continues to develop interfaces needed to integrate wearable physiological monitoring capabilities directly into service-sponsored decision support tools and mission command systems. These capabilities detect and alert for chemical and biological (CB) anomalies that may indicate exposure to biological warfare agents (BWA) or other emerging threats across the force. CB WEARABLES-ENBD will continue to directly interface and integrate with existing joint force computing environments and directly supports the strategic goals of the CBDP's Enhanced Biological Defense effort.

The Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear Sensor Integration onto Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) is a prototyping and fielding effort that focuses on repackaging and integrating modular CBRN sensor solutions to enhance Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Unmanned Ground Vehicles (UGV) Programs of Record (POR). CSIRP exploits advances in sensing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, autonomy, and communications to enable timely and accurate detection, warning and reporting of CBRN hazards to reduce risk for the warfighter in mounted and dismounted configurations. CSIRP benefits the warfighter by providing Commanders with increased situational awareness at all echelons and reduces risk of exposure to chemical, biological and radiological warfare threats.

The Compact Vapor Chemical Agent Detector (CVCAD) is a light weight chemical detection capability that will continuously, and autonomously, monitor and alert joint forces to an unsafe environment without further burdening the warfighters payload or interfering with the primary mission. CVCAD will warn of Chemical Weapon Agents (CWA), Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TIC), and confined space hazards to inform immediate force protection decisions. The small form factor (less than two pounds) is amenable to both man-worn and unmanned aerial or ground system operations to enable timely personnel protective action and other force protection decisions. CVCAD benefits the warfighter by providing a person worn chemical vapor detector that warns the wearer to the presence of a variety of chemical vapor hazards.

The DBPAP serves as the principal resource of high quality, validated, and standardized biological detection assays and reagents. DBPAP assays and supportive information tools are used as part of a preparedness posture by assessing relevancy of DoD’s detection portfolio and predicting efficacy of deployed medical countermeasures (e.g., diagnostics). The DBPAP provides a wide array of capability (e.g., assays, reagents, and biological reference materials) that are easily accessible for a diverse set of U.S. Government agencies and Allies. DBPAP benefits the warfighter through these reagents/assays, to meet the test and evaluation and biosurveillance requirements of the Joint biological defense community.

The ADD will provide the capability to perform presumptive disease classification and differentiation of unknown biological threats, during early stages of illness, suitable for use at the lowest Roles of Care. These unknown threats may include traditional/non-traditional biological warfare agents, as well as other known/unknown and emerging threats. ADD benefits the warfighter by providing timely feedback for disease prevention in operational environments, quickly identifying warfighters who may have contracted illness.

The PPTS-ENBD will provide a biocontainment isolation system to safely transport personnel infected or suspected of infection. The project will evaluate and/or improve upon previous biocontainment isolation transport systems (for example, Transport Isolation System, Chemical-Biological Aircraft Survivability Barrier, Portable Bio-containment Care Module, Negatively Pressurized Conex, and Casualty Containment Litter). PPTS-ENBD benefits the warfighter by providing a means to safely transport asymptomatic, infected, or symptomatic patients with known or suspected exposure to contagious and infectious diseases while protecting transport vehicles and support personnel.

RAPID will enable data-driven medical countermeasure (MCM) investment decision support by providing comprehensive visibility of Chemical and Biological Defense (CBD) enterprise MCMs in development prior to full license. RAPID will store and maintain data packages and doses of countermeasures. RAPID benefits the warfighter by enabling Interim Fielding Capability (IFC), continued development, or transition of data packages and doses to other United States Government (USG) partners as Programs of Record.

Clinical and Nonclinical Studies

The CBIPR-ADM ensures prioritization to domestic biopharmaceutical manufacturing capacities, capabilities, and infrastructure (e.g. the DoD-ADM Facility and other strategic partners) that are operationally ready to rapidly develop and manufacture medical countermeasures (MCMs) against current and emerging chemical and biological threats including pandemic response. Prioritization is achieved by establishing and enhancing proven biopharmaceutical manufacturing platform technologies and infrastructure at these facilities. MCMs that benefit from these efforts include Vaccines for Viral Agents, Vaccines for Bacterial Agents and Toxins, monoclonal antibodies, antibody fragments and conjugates for therapeutic and prophylactic use across all agent classes. CBIPR-ADM benefits the warfighter by providing the capability to accelerate development of MCMs at all stages of development, enhance preparedness for existing threats, and rapidly respond to emerging threats as part of a medical integrated layered defense.

The MDAP chemical and biological (CB) Survivability Support and Services (CS3) initiative provides enabling support to Department of Defense programs designated as Mission Critical Systems, CB Mission Critical Systems or requiring CB survivability capabilities. Enabling support facilitates alignment with CB capabilities through the following: acquisition strategy, systems engineering, CB assessment, technical requirements analysis and management. MDAP CS3 provides customized CB defense solutions for major weapon system programs, integration of CB equipment, as needed test and evaluation support, logistics support, modeling and simulation support, documentation, and/or CB subject matter expertise.

The CBIPR-SBC program will establish a capability to preemptively characterize classified threats and develop medical countermeasure (MCM) solutions while maintaining security posture. CBIPR-SBC enhances infrastructure necessary to complete MCM development with highly classified intelligence data. CBIPR-SBC benefits the warfighter by providing a capability that can transform intelligence information into actionable data and products which can be utilized across the Chemical Biological Defense (CBD) Enterprise. CBIPR-SBC transitioned from the CBIPR-ADM line in FY 2025.

The SIS project will provide the capability to temporarily isolate or quarantine personnel to prevent the spread of a biological threat. SIS will be used on multiple Navy ship classes. SIS benefits the warfighter by containing and medically monitoring/treating patients while protecting embarked crew and personnel.

The UIPE FoS Gloves provides percutaneous protection to ground and aviation missions for the hand and wrist interface of the warfighter against traditional and non-traditional Chemical and Biological (CB) threats. UIPE FoS Gloves will address multiple mission profiles including General Purpose Gloves (GPG), Aviation Gloves Heavy (AGH), and Aviation Gloves Light (AGL) variants which aligns with mission specific requirements. GPG is designed to be worn by warfighters serving in ground, maritime, and air roles due to its higher durability and protection levels. AGH provides higher tactility to pilots of rotary wing and ground support aircraft facing CB challenge levels like the GPG. AGL provides the best tactility, but a reduced protection level to pilots of ejection seat aircraft and aircraft without anticipated exposure to ground CB challenge levels. The Gloves can be worn with Service CB ensembles. UIPE FoS Gloves benefits the warfighter by providing protective Gloves that include touchscreen interoperability, increased tactility and dexterity, and flame resistance compared to legacy systems. UIPE FoS Gloves successfully transitioned from Middle Tier of Acquisition Rapid Prototyping to Major Capability Acquisition (MCA) ACAT IV.

The UIPE FoS GP is part of a family of systems that will give the warfighter percutaneous protection from operationally relevant traditional, non-traditional, and advanced Chemical and Biological (CB)/Toxic Industrial Material (TIM) threats likely to be encountered during joint force operations. UIPE FoS GP is a two-piece duty uniform-like replacement. UIPE FoS GP will develop solutions that provide the broad spectrum of users with individual, percutaneous protective equipment that can be employed in a contaminated environment with minimal to no degradation in performance. UIPE FoS GP benefits the warfighter by providing percutaneous protection and improved capabilities of Chemical and Biological protection; flame resistance; and improvements in thermal burden, mobility, comfort, ease of use and interoperability.

AUTOINJ will provide Food and Drug Administration-approved alternative source(s) for currently fielded autoinjectors that deliver Department of Defense Nerve Agent antidote and treatment capabilities to the warfighter. AUTOINJ benefits the warfighter by reducing the inventory risk of a single source and by mitigating capability fielding and operational readiness risks. AUTOINJ augments legacy autoinjectors by providing alternative commercial sources, which include the FDA-approved Atropine Autoinjector and Reconstitution Autoinjector Device - Atropine (RAD-A), previously referred to as Wet-Dry Autoinjector.

The ASPIRE-ENBD will support unencumbering warfighters and revolutionizing respiratory and ocular protection against Chemical and Biological (CB) threats, including protection from biological, toxic industrial chemicals, and other emerging threats. ASPIRE-ENBD benefits the warfighter by providing a revolutionized capability to the Services for the next generation of respiratory and ocular protection by developing bio-masks that are low-burden, provide protection against bio threats, and are designed as a reusable system with modularity and/or scalability for additional ocular protection. ASPIRE-ENBD was a new start program in FY 2024.

The ASPIRE program allows near normal operations in a Chemical and Biological (CB) environment by minimizing or eliminating physical and psychological burden and increasing warfighter lethality. The program will provide the capability to incorporate upgrades into the current ground masks to improve the suit hood/mask interface (HMI) with Uniform Integrated Protective Ensemble Family of Systems General Purpose (UIPE FoS GP) suit. ASPIRE benefits the warfighter by providing respiratory and ocular protection against CB threats.

The MPCAD is a two-person portable system that will conduct near real-time, near-laboratory grade analysis of solid, liquid, and vapor samples collected by the operator in a presumptively contaminated area. MPCAD results will support the Commander's tactical and operational decisions regarding maneuver, protection, decontamination, and treatment measures. MPCAD benefits the warfighter by providing Commanders with a higher fidelity analysis of samples collected in the field than the currently fielded detectors.

This effort will test and evaluate via developmental and operational assessments the capability of the WARP kits.

Wearable All-hazard Remote-monitoring Project (WARP) is a family of wearable and attachable sensors to collect, transmit, and integrate information about the chemical and biological defense operational environment, disposition of warfighters, and key mission equipment status to optimize actions on the objective, provide real-time tactical data for decision makers, and facilitate unit readiness post mission. WARP has gone through the classified special category (SPECAT) requirements validation via United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Deterrence, Chemical, and Biological Defense Programs and Policy (ODASD(ND-CBD)).

SPU RCDD facilitates United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) rapid response requirements, through the classified special category (SPECAT) process, for near-term and emergent chemical-biological defensive capabilities. SPU RCDD mitigates risk across the Enterprise by creating a portfolio of operationally relevant chemical and biological (CB) capabilities that can be quickly transitioned in response to the articulated, developing capability needs of the geographic combatant commanders. These objectives are met by the early transitioning of promising S&T; the focused conduct of combat evaluations and mission-oriented operational assessments to assess technological and mission suitability; and leveraging existing Commercial-Off-The-Shelf (COTS) and Government-Off-The-Shelf (GOTS) products along with novel redesign approaches to optimize existing solutions to new challenges supported by adaptive acquisition strategies.

The PCAD provides handheld identification of visible liquid and solid chemical threats observed by the warfighter at standoff (non-contact) distances. PCAD is intended to enhance mission effectiveness by reducing sample analysis time in the field. PCAD benefits the warfighter by providing a handheld stand-off (non-contact) capability to identify chemical hazards, providing commanders with decision quality to inform follow-on decisions.

The Non-Targeted Sequencing Identification System (NSIS) provides a rapid biological sequencing capability to identify known, emerging, engineered, or enhanced biological warfare agents (BWA). NSIS allows for the detection of genetically-engineered agents at the point of attack, reducing potential spread and increasing opportunity for containment. NSIS capability will increase the Joint Force's ability to identify agents beyond those currently targeted by fielded equipment, providing early warning of a potential outbreak or attack and informing decisions to protect the Homeland and Joint Force Missions. NSIS benefits the warfighter by enabling untargeted analysis on-site to provide actionable intelligence to the Commander at the speed of relevance.

The NGDS 2 MPDS program will provide a simple-to-use, portable diagnostic device capability that can be used in austere battlefield environments to assist in the diagnosis of biological warfare agents. The NGDS 2 MPDS benefits the warfighter by providing easy to use tests for earlier patient diagnosis far-forward across the range of military operations, and improve decision support for treatment, evacuation, and quarantine, in order to help mitigate the effects of exposure to biological agents.

Non-Clinical Efficacious Studies

Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Coordination

The NGDS 2 ChemDx program will provide a rapid, hand-held, point-of-care device, for the detection of acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) levels in blood samples, an indicator of possible Nerve Agent exposure in individuals. NGDS 2 ChemDx will be employed by Services at multiple echelons of healthcare. The NGDS 2 ChemDx benefits the warfighter by providing immediate capability to inform diagnosis of potential Nerve Agent exposure before outward symptoms are present.

The AET Defense program continues to address the highest priority chemical and biological (CB) gaps and supports the Chemical Biological Defense Program (CBDP) Strategic Line of Effort to meet current and emerging threats by anticipating chemical, biological and toxin hazards and identifying capabilities to counter emerging and future threats. The AET Defense program collaborates with the Joint Services and interagency to align RDT&E resources to determine readiness against emerging threats as they are identified across the entire CBDP enterprise portfolio.

The Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite Upgrade (NBCRV SSU) will modernize chemical and biological components of the current Stryker NBCRV Sensor Suite to increase maintainability, reliability, maneuverability of the force, and standoff distance from the threats. NBCRV SSU enhances chemical and biological standoff capabilities and integrates onto robotics platforms for human machine integration (HMI), optimizing the Stryker NBCRV maneuver formations ability to conduct mounted chemical and biological (CB) reconnaissance and surveillance. NBCRV SSU benefits the warfighter by reducing the risk to force and mission, providing decision quality data to answer Commander’s priority intelligence requirements facilitating risk-based decisions, ensuring freedom of action and maintaining maneuver momentum during large scale combat operations.

MFK is the National Guard Bureau's (NGB) interim chemical and biological (CB) Awareness & Understanding capability for the Homeland mission. New features and functions will be defined through annual workshops and user engagements and incorporated in the MFK software baseline and resulting capability drops.

AVO TX will provide the Joint Force the ability to recover from exposure to biological hazards. Efforts include development of Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Medical Countermeasures (MCM) oral broad spectrum therapeutic against disease caused by Equine Encephalitic Alphaviruses. Antiviral Oral Therapeutics program will benefit the warfighter by providing broad-spectrum treatment solutions for viral infections with the Alphaviruses threat preserving combat power.

The JBTDS is a lightweight, biological surveillance system that detects, collects, and identifies Biological Warfare Agent (BWA) aerosols. JBTDS components are man-portable, battery-operable and easy to employ. JBTDS provides notification of hazards and enhances battle space awareness, providing Joint Forces the ability to safely survive and sustain operations in a biological agent threat environment. JBTDS is capable of archiving a sample for follow up analysis. When networked, JBTDS augments existing biological detection systems providing a theater-wide array capable of biological detection, identification and warning, supporting time sensitive force protection decisions. JBTDS provides surface sampling capability with the JBTDS Identifier (JHBI) to support sensitive site exploitation missions. JBTDS benefits the warfighter by providing the ability to detect, collect, and identify Biological Warfare Agent (BWA) aerosols, allowing additional time to make decisions and take action to prevent or reduce the risk of exposure.

FFBS system is a rapid handheld biological sequencing device that will identify an unlimited number of Biological Warfare Agents (BWAs) to include emerging or engineered biological weapon threats on or near the objective. It will provide far-forward Special Operations Forces (SOF) and Special Operations Task Forces (SOTFs) the detect-to-inform capability with near-real time identification of BWAs. FFBS will significantly increase the situational awareness of biological threats to SOF forces operating in a far forward environment and decrease the tactical decision timeline from weeks to hours. FFBS will increase tactical flexibility and fighting strength, protect the Special Operations Forces, and it will save lives.

Manufactured drug product and device development.

The DBPAP-ENBD efforts expand the breadth of capabilities above DBPAP baseline levels specifically through enhancements to biological threat agent reference materials, analytical tools portfolios, increased sequencing capabilities, expanded analytical tool capabilities, and increased repository of collected biothreat genomic information. DBPAP-ENBD benefits the warfighters by providing enhanced biodefense, expedited surveillance and pathogen characterization.

The CET RAIDR program uses nonclinical safety/efficacy model studies to evaluate FDA-approved and/or late stage products to repurpose as a chemical and biological defense Medical Countermeasures toward known, potential, and emerging threats, bridging the gap from when a threat is identified until targeted countermeasures are available. Studies generate safety and efficacy data to support the use of these tested product against chemical and biological threats. CET RAIDR benefits the warfighter by informing clinical practice guidelines, offering deployment and chemical and biological defense specific treatment options in emergency situations.

The CET RAIDR-ENBD program uses nonclinical safety/efficacy model studies to evaluate FDA-approved and/or late stage products to repurpose as a chemical and biological defense Medical Countermeasures toward known, potential, and emerging threats, bridging the gap from when a threat is identified until targeted countermeasures are available. Studies generate safety and efficacy data to support the use of these tested product against chemical and biological threats. CET RAIDR-ENBD benefits the warfighter by informing clinical practice guidelines, offering deployment and chemical and biological defense specific treatment options in emergency situations.

The SEDS program consists of two efforts, Joint SEDS and Special Operations Forces (SOF) Critical Equipment Decontamination (CEDS), which will develop reliable and modular hardware intended to decontaminate military equipment in operational environments, including personal effects and weapons, to pre-contamination conditions. This capability will reduce logistical burdens, increased tactical agility, and restore lethality in alignment with DoD strategic guidance and emerging operational concepts. SEDS and CEDS benefits the warfighter by providing contamination mitigation capabilities for critical equipment exposed to chemical and biological contamination and achieve efficacy levels that allow unprotected post-decontamination exposures for long periods with less than negligible severity effects.

The INATS CA program will develop the centrally-acting anticholinergic, scopolamine, to increase survivability and decrease morbidity following exposure to toxic nerve agents. INATS CA benefits the warfighter by adding to currently fielded nerve agent treatments. Scopolamine will improve overall medical outcomes and will be available in both a vial for use at definitive care, and in an autoinjector for use in the field.

BOT MAB program will deliver an Anti-Botulinum neurotoxin (types A and B) medical countermeasure by leveraging mature technology platforms to provide the capability to counter the threat of illness, performance degradation, and death. Botulism Monoclonal Antibody program will benefit the warfighter by providing post-exposure prophylaxis for intoxication with Botulinum Toxins A and B. BOT MAB provides protection to the warfighter from the Botulinum neurotoxin (types A and B) threat preserving combat power.

The RNATS will provide an FDA-approved improved oxime in a vial formulation to address emerging chemical threats and fourth generation agents (FGAs). RNATS will benefit the warfighter by increasing survivability against a broad spectrum of chemical warfare nerve agents, mitigating risks from nerve agent exposure, and reducing the impact of nerve agent intoxication.

The BCIS-ENBD program will provide a negative pressure shelter system for medical treatment of biologically contaminated patients in a field hospital environment. BCIS-ENBD benefits the warfighter by providing a ground-based isolation area for personnel infected or suspected of infection from a biological threat and allows medical staff to monitor and/or treat while decreasing the risk of infecting other patients and staff.