Chemical and Biological Weapons Elimination Technology Improvement

The ChemBio Weapons Elimination Technology Improvement program, managed by the Office of the Secretary of Defense, is a critical component of the Department of Defense's (DoD) efforts to counter evolving chemical and biological weapons (CBW) threats. This program is designed to enhance the United States' ability to assess, disable, and destroy CBW in compliance with both the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) and Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) obligations. The overarching goal is to ensure the DoD maintains an enduring and flexible capability to eliminate CBW threats, whether encountered during contingency operations, in support of diplomatic initiatives, or within domestic borders.

The specific objectives of the program are to develop, improve, and transition advanced technologies for the destruction of chemical and biological weapons. The program addresses validated requirements from the Joint Force, Combatant Commands, and other defense agencies, focusing on closing operational gaps in the ability to assess, disable, and destroy CBW. Its portfolio is structured around several Lines of Effort (LOEs) that aim to provide options for the assessment and destruction of recovered chemical warfare material in the U.S., as well as CBW agents and stockpiles abroad, across the full spectrum of conflict environments.

A key project within this program is the Explosive Destruction System Phase 3 (EDS-P3). The EDS-P3 is being developed to provide advanced capabilities for the destruction of large chemical weapon items. In FY 2025, the program completed system assembly and installation and began factory acceptance testing. The FY 2026 objectives include completing full-scale agent testing of the EDS-P3, which is essential for transitioning this technology to operational use by the Joint Warfighter and for meeting U.S. obligations to safely eliminate recovered chemical warfare material.

Another significant initiative is the Chemical Weapon Access and Chemical Agent Transfer System (Waterjet). This system, transitioned from the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, is designed to improve the ability to access and transfer chemical agents safely and efficiently. FY 2025 funding supported the initiation of advanced development efforts for the Waterjet system, and continued development is planned for FY 2026. This technology is intended to enhance the DoD's capacity to address both small-scale and bulk chemical agent destruction requirements, particularly in scenarios where rapid and secure access to munitions is necessary.

The program also supports the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) and small-scale bulk chemical agent destruction systems. In FY 2026, the program plans to conduct systemization of the SDC, which is a large-scale, explosively configured technology for destroying chemical warfare material. Additionally, agent testing for small-scale bulk and munition destruction systems is scheduled, further broadening the range of operationally relevant solutions available to the Joint Force.

Funding for the ChemBio Weapons Elimination Technology Improvement program is allocated based on an annual investment strategy, with priorities set by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Threat Reduction and Arms Control (ODASD(TRAC)). Projects are selected through a competitive process that requires a validated requirement, a clear acquisition strategy, and a commitment from end-users to sustain the resulting capabilities. The program's budget supports research, development, test and evaluation (RDT&E), as well as the integration of operational prototypes and enhancements to fielded systems.