Military Tests New Chemical Agent Detection Systems

November 11, 2021

A test participant from the 21st Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Hazard Response Company, processes a sample to run on the Multi-phase Chemical Agent Detector (MPCAD) to confirm or deny the presence of chemical warfare agents. (Mr. Nicholas Robertson, Audiovisual Production Specialist, U.S. Army Operational Test Command)

Warfighters from across the nation conducted operational testing of new chemical agent detection systems between October and November. Through these warfighters’ efforts, data was collected for decision-makers and valuable hands-on training was performed.

Soldiers with the 21st Hazard Response Company and 11th Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) Company along with Marines from the 2nd Marine Logistics Group and Airmen from the 628th Civil Engineer Squadron went hands-on with the Aerosol and Vapor Chemical Agent Detector (AVCAD) and the Multi-phase Chemical Agent Detector (MPCAD).

According to Mr. Joe Scheerer, test officer with the U.S. Army Operational Test Command’s Maneuver Support and Sustainment Test Directorate, test data and feedback collected informs senior Joint Service leaders on the effectiveness, suitability, and reliability of the AVCAD and MPCAD systems.

According to Scheerer, during the 10-day record test, the soldiers, airmen, and marines deployed the systems, analyzed chemical threat samples, provided detailed warnings and reports, and conducted decontamination using the systems over 18 varying threat targets.

“CBRN site assessment and surveillance operations are complex missions that require our Joint Service CBRN assets to remain equipped with systems that are effective and suitable in warfighter’s hands,” Scheerer said. “This test event is about making sure the systems developed provide proper capabilities in the environments in which warfighters and units train and fight.”

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