Chemical Biological Situational Awareness

The Chemical Biological Situational Awareness line item (LI 7001SA1000) within the Chemical and Biological Defense Program (CBDP) is designed to enhance commanders' tactical and operational decision-making by developing and fielding advanced detection and identification capabilities for chemical and biological (CB) reconnaissance, surveillance, and site exploitation missions. The goal is to increase detection accuracy, range, and effectiveness, enabling integration with non-CB sensor systems, information systems, and unmanned platforms. This portfolio supports operational forces in safely operating, surviving, and sustaining operations in CB threat environments, with a focus on contamination avoidance and minimizing the need for decontamination.

Aerosol Vapor Chemical Agent Detector (AVCAD) aims to provide sensitive detection of chemical agent aerosols and vapors in both man-portable and shipboard fixed configurations. Funding will procure man-portable systems for the Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and SOCOM, as well as shipboard fixed systems for the Navy. AVCAD supports collective protection, base defense, decontamination, reconnaissance, and surveillance missions, and is integrated with platforms such as the Nuclear Biological Chemical Reconnaissance Vehicle Sensor Suite Upgrade (NBCRV SSU). The program is scheduled to reach Initial Operational Capability (IOC) in FY 2027.

Proximate Chemical Agent Detector (PCAD) provides handheld, non-contact identification of visible liquid and solid chemical threats. The budget supports procurement and fielding of PCAD Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) systems, logistics support, and program management. PCAD enhances mission effectiveness by reducing sample analysis time and providing commanders with decision-quality information for follow-on actions. The program is progressing toward Full Rate Production (FRP) in FY 2027.

Analytical Laboratory System Modification (ALS MOD) addresses equipment obsolescence and improves system functionality for the National Guard Bureau's Weapons of Mass Destruction Civil Support Teams (WMD CST). ALS MOD is a mobile, self-contained capability for detecting and identifying chemical and biological agents in environmental samples. Funds will procure technology refresh packages for toxin identifiers, supporting the National Guard's priority to maintain toxin detection capability and associated fielding costs.

Common Analytical Laboratory System (CALS) provides field confirmatory analytical capability for chemical and biological agents. CALS is man-portable and supports Army, Navy, Air Force, and National Guard units. Funding will procure units to complete the full requirement of chemical subsystems for the Army, supporting Full Operational Capability (FOC) in FY 2027. CALS enables rapid development of a common operating picture for protective posture, treatment, and decontamination missions.

Next Generation Diagnostics System 2 Chemical Diagnostics (NGDS 2 CHEM DX) delivers rapid, handheld point-of-care devices to detect acetyl cholinesterase (AChE) levels in blood, indicating possible nerve agent exposure. Funds will procure ChemDx systems, replacement meters, and consumable refills, enabling immediate diagnosis before symptoms appear and supporting IOC. The program is critical for early medical intervention and force protection.

Joint Handheld Bio-agent Identifier (JHBI) is a portable PCR-based system for rapid identification of biological agents. Funding will procure identifiers for the JBTDS program and CBRN DRS SMP USAF, as well as biowarfare assays. JHBI supports biological detection requirements for both JBTDS and CBRN DRS, improving awareness and reducing the risk of biological threats in the field.

Joint Biological Tactical Detection System (JBTDS) is a lightweight, biological surveillance system that detects, collects, and identifies biological warfare agent aerosols. Funds will procure detector/collectors and base stations for the Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, supporting the path to Full Rate Production and Authorized Procurement Objective in FY 2031. JBTDS enhances theater-wide biological detection and force protection.

Enhanced Maritime Biological Detection (EMBD) provides automated detection, collection, and identification of airborne biological warfare agents for the Navy. Funding will procure FRP systems for deployment to destroyers, landing platform docks, and helicopter assault ships, moving the program to FOC. EMBD integrates with the Navy's Common Operating Environment for real-time situational awareness and decision support.

Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Dismounted Reconnaissance Systems (CBRN DRS) equip joint service units with detection, identification, sample collection, decontamination, and hazard reporting capabilities. Funds will procure System Modernization Packages for USAF and USMC, supporting dismounted reconnaissance and site assessment missions. CBRN DRS provides comprehensive all-hazards protection and detection for personnel and equipment.

Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear Support to Command and Control (CSC2) delivers a system-of-systems architecture for integrating CBRN sensor data with command and control networks. Funding supports hardware and software procurement for networking, computing, and communication, enabling continuous integration and delivery of agile software solutions for situational awareness.

Defense Biological Products Assurance Program (DBPAP) manages the production, storage, distribution, and quality assurance of biological detection assays and reagents. Funds support repository management for assays, antibodies, and genomic reference materials, consolidating requirements across DoD and other government agencies to ensure preparedness and effective medical countermeasures.

Chemical and Biological Wearables (CB WEARABLES) integrates physiological monitoring software with wearable sensors to alert warfighters to potential CB exposures. Funds support advanced experimentation, procurement of wearable devices, network and decision support kits, and backend server software, enhancing readiness and performance across joint services.

Wearable All-hazard Remote-monitoring Program (WARP) provides wearable and attachable sensors for real-time monitoring of CBRN environments and warfighter status. Funding will procure remote monitoring kits and technical support for SOCOM, supporting operational decisions and increased force protection. The program aims for full operational capability with additional kits by FY 2028.

Far Forward Biological Sequencing (FFBS) equips Special Operations Forces with handheld biological sequencing devices for rapid identification of biological warfare agents, including emerging threats. Funds will procure FFBS Increment 1 systems, supporting acceptance testing, systems engineering, and training for SOCOM, with full incremental capability delivery in FY 2027.

Non-targeted Sequencing Identification System (NSIS) provides rapid sequencing to identify known, emerging, or engineered biological agents at the point of attack. Funds will procure sequencers and consumables, supporting low rate initial production and technical manual validation. NSIS enhances early warning and containment capabilities for joint force missions.

Next Generation Diagnostics System 2 Man Portable Diagnostic System (NGDS 2 MPDS) delivers portable diagnostic devices for infectious diseases and biological warfare agents in austere environments. Funding will procure MPDS systems and provide training at the Army Medical Center of Excellence, improving early diagnosis and decision support for treatment and quarantine.