GA-EMS receives diagnostic device contract
General Atomics Electromagnetic Systems (GA-EMS) has received a contract from DARPA to develop a next generation portable diagnostic platform to provide bio-threat detection capabilities in the field.
Over the course of 12 months, GA-EMS will develop a verification prototype device and related assay cards for point-of-use molecular diagnostics testing.
The portable device will support soldiers by quickly performing self-testing for an array of infectious diseases such as Ebola, malaria, dengue fever, or influenza in the field. The hope is that early diagnosis of biological threats will translate into a faster response and more effective treatment.
The portable diagnostic platform device will feature a unique sensor technology and customisable, single-use disposable cartridges capable of lab-quality molecular diagnostics. A small fluid sample will be inserted into a cartridge containing a molecular sensor chip and various reagents that will react when they come into contact with certain pathogens.
Testing occurs when the cartridge is inserted into the device, which interacts with the cartridge to prepare and analyse the sample. An easy to read positive or negative test result will then be displayed in less than one hour.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![SOF Week 2026: US military tests AI algorithm to support missions in low-light scenarios]()
SOF Week 2026: US military tests AI algorithm to support missions in low-light scenarios
The US Army and USAF are evaluating an AI-enabled imaging capability from Deepnight designed to enhance low-light and no-light operations across multiple platforms and environments.
-
![Industrial capacity under scrutiny as US approves further $8.6 billion Middle East arms sale]()
Industrial capacity under scrutiny as US approves further $8.6 billion Middle East arms sale
The fast-tracked emergency approvals come as the conflict in the Middle East stretches out into its third month, after Iranian attacks depleted US allies’ missile stockpiles and testing air defence systems.
-
![Intelligence innovation: From data overload to decision advantage (Podcast)]()
Intelligence innovation: From data overload to decision advantage (Podcast)
As militaries face an overwhelming flow of data, the challenge is shifting from collection to delivering fast, actionable insights that drive decision-making. Advances in AI and data integration are helping armed forces move beyond siloed systems to generate real-time intelligence across domains and allies.
-
![SAHA 2026 to Convene the Global Defence Ecosystem]()
SAHA 2026 to Convene the Global Defence Ecosystem
SAHA 2026 brings global defence and aerospace leaders to Istanbul for partnerships, launches, panels and high-value meetings.
-
![Teledyne FLIR adds GPS-denied 3D-mapping capabilities to its CBRN uncrewed platforms]()
Teledyne FLIR adds GPS-denied 3D-mapping capabilities to its CBRN uncrewed platforms
In a partnership with Emesent, Teledyne FLIR will equip its autonomous air, ground and detection systems with the Hovermap LiDAR payload in a move that highlights a broader market shift towards modular architectures, shared payloads and interoperability across platforms.
-
![US seeks 32% boost for missile defence budget with $23 billion earmarked for interceptors]()
US seeks 32% boost for missile defence budget with $23 billion earmarked for interceptors
The Pentagon’s proposed budget for the next fiscal year includes an impressive increase in the procurement of interceptors, with the number of the US Army’s PAC-3 MSE rounds expanding by 683%, the US Navy’s Standard Missile by 365% and the MDA’s SM-3 IIA by more than 1,000%.
