US Army rolls out CIDAS
Active-duty units and reservists in the US have begun to receive the Contamination Indicator/Decontamination Assurance System (CIDAS), the US Army announced on 8 September.
‘The Army is fielding it to all units in areas where there is a threat of chemical agents,’ it added.
CIDAS, which was developed under the US Army Small Business Technology Transfer (SBTT) programme, has proven capable of detecting chemical weapons accurately at low concentration levels.
The technology has been purchased by FLIR Systems https://www.shephardmedia.com/... under SBTT and CIDAS is now a programme of record within the Joint Program Executive Office for CBRN Defense (JPEO-CBRND).
Dr Stephen Lee, senior scientist at the Army Research Office, said: ‘This technology is highly sensitive, providing accurate results on only trace amounts of material, even at concentrations below levels that represent an immediate danger to life and health.’
The US Army funded the basic research behind CIDAS technology at the University of Pittsburgh. A team led by Dr Alan Russell worked to identify ways to incorporate enzymes into polymers that would be stabilised for use outside the cell and then ultimately used in realistic battlefield environments.
FLIR is also under contract from JPEO-CBRND to support the Contamination Indicator/Decontamination Assurance System programme.
A five-year contract, worth up to $21.8 million, includes a full-rate production phase to field the product to units throughout the US Army.
Shipments are expected to begin in Q4 2020.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
More from Defence Notes
-
![What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow]()
What role could holographic and 3D capabilities play in the warfare of tomorrow
Holographic and 3D technologies have been lauded by some for their ability to provide technical and operational advantages for military training and planning. But is the hype truly justified?
-
![Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme]()
Unfolding the Golden Dome for America: Seven things you should know about the programme
Shephard talked to multiple experts about the most pressing concerns and considerations regarding the air defence system advocated by President Trump.
-
![Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans]()
Industry welcomes UK Strategic Defence Review, but pressure remains on future defence investment plans
While industry reception to the SDR has been positive, questions still remain from analyst and trade associations about what this could mean for future investment and the future UK Defence Industrial Strategy.
-
![UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions]()
UK Strategic Defence Review puts emphasis on autonomy, airpower and munitions
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was launched as one of the first acts of the UK’s new Labour Government in June last year. The review has recommended a major big-picture reform of the country’s forces.
-
![Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details]()
Foreshadowing of UK defence review suggests it is light on programme details
The UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR) was designed to answer two questions: What is needed to fix UK defence and make it fit for the 2040s, and what do you get for a fixed financial profile? The SDR outlines that work still needs to be done on specifics.
