Chemical Biological Situational Awareness

The Chemical Biological Defense Program is designed to enhance situational awareness for commanders by developing and deploying advanced detection and identification capabilities. This initiative focuses on improving the accuracy, range, and effectiveness of chemical and biological reconnaissance, surveillance, and site exploitation missions. It aims to integrate seamlessly with non-chemical/biological sensor systems, relevant information systems, and unmanned platforms fielded by the services.

A key objective is to maintain operational efficiency in environments threatened by chemical or biological agents. By avoiding contamination, the need for decontamination of vehicles, equipment, and areas is minimized. The program supports the development of advanced defensive equipment to strengthen the United States' ability to detect and identify threat agents both in battle spaces and within the homeland.

The program also emphasizes warning, reporting, and reconnaissance efforts that enable a tiered strategy for detecting threats. This strategy involves complementary detection and identification systems that provide theater protection against large area and point attacks. Additionally, it supports Special Purpose Unit operations and the National Guard Bureau Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD-CSTs), ensuring they are equipped to handle chemical and biological threats effectively.