SubscribeOptimisation in the operational deployment of CBRN detectors.
Whilst a host of alternative technologies have been proposed, and, with varying degrees of success, employed to provide warning and identification of weaponised chemical agents, ion mobility spectronomy (IMS) has firmly established itself at the heart of currently deployed military CWA and TICs point detection and warning systems.
From the US M43A1, through Environics' M90, Smiths Detection's GID-3/ACADA and, more recently, their GID-M and Bruker's RAID-XP detectors, IMS has been continuously refined as a tool to provide sensitive detection of specified chemical threats and concomitant rejection of environmental interferents.
Such systems are routinely used by both military and civil authorities to deliver capability across a broad range of operational requirements including dismounted front line combat early warning, temporary critical asset protection, discrete monitoring of high profile and VIP events, and incident management at the scene of an identified chemical attack event.
However, whilst the technology base is clearly solid, the ground on which it will be ultimately tested continues to shift, presenting those responsible for meeting the threat head on with the challenge of ensuring versatile and optimized employment of their existing resources. In the field of CBRN point detection and reporting systems, enhancing capability is all about making better use of what you have.
The inherent difficulties in the effective use of stand-alone chemical detectors are self evident. Individual units each require that a human 'chemical sentry' remains in close enough proximity to hear and see audible and visual alarms in the event of a chemical attack, to verify that the detector remains in its selected location, and to ensure that the system continues to function correctly.
In order to fulfill these tasks it is incumbent on the individual to maintain a high level of debilitating personal protective dress, which then degrades the ability to perform other operational roles. The level of personal danger can be slightly reduced by means of wire connected secondary display devices such as the M42 remote alarm, but the restrictions of using individual cable systems do not permit the principle of remote security to be fully exploited.
As CWA detectors only alarm in response to a challenge in their immediate environment the problems encountered with stand-alone detectors are multiplied by the requirement to provide a defensive position over an extended area such as the perimeter of an airfield or a forward operating base. Multiple detectors mean multiple chemical sentries. The simple solution to this dilemma is to replace the human sentries with a detector interface that provides networked detector reporting to a remote control station.
Argon Electronics' NASCAP (Network Alarm System Central Alarm Processor) system is comprised of two main elements: the Base Station for central system control, and multiple Outstations that are attached to individual detectors. All system components are contained within rugged, lockable, hand portable wheeled cases for storage and ready-to-go rapid deployment in less than 15 minutes.
Operating at a pre-set user defined frequency(s), the Outstations monitor the status of the detector and transmit information on equipment status, agent alarms, equipment fault alarms, and GPS data to the Base Station. The Outstations also contain an in-built movement sensor to detect unauthorized removal of the Outstation from its sited location. Each Outstation can be reconfigured for use in the Base Station providing modular replacement and continued system functionality in the event of damage.
The typical system range between an Outstation and the Base Station is 1000m (0.6 miles) within a dense urban environment, and 5000m (3 miles) in an open line of sight environment. However, with the introduction of the new NASCAP Repeater Unit, Outstations may also be used as signal boosting relays. Connected with dedicated rechargeable batteries that provide 24 hours of operation, the use of two NASCAP Repeater Units will permit a tripling of the effective system range.
The Base Station is composed of a single radio transceiver that communicates with each Outstation, relaying received data to a laptop PC that is supplied complete with Windows™ operating system and pre-loaded with NASCAP software. All communications reports are logged on a removable hard drive.
The Base Station case contains all the necessary components for its operation including mains and vehicle power supply units for the transceiver and laptop (in emergency a detector battery and the laptop's own battery can be used), a radio antennae with a 5m (16 ft) cable to allow for optimum transmission of signal, and a scanner which can be used to determine radio frequencies already in local use prior to operation of the system
Once deployed the NASCAP alarm software alpha-numerically reports identification of the class of chemical agent or specific agent identification and concentration of the agent (if available from the detector), the hazard level of agent in bars, detector fault codes, the status of the power supply, the identity of the individual detector, the status of the radio nodes, the physical location of detector (grid reference or user selected place name), the grid reference provided automatically by the GPS (manual entry if no lock available), data logging of all alarm conditions with time and date stamp so that data is retained for record/evidential purposes, and software interfaces for third party reporting systems (NASCAP is fully compatible with agent release mapping software systems such as NBCWaRN™ from OptiMetrics, Inc. and MIDAS-AT™ from ABS Consulting, Inc).
NASCAP has already proven itself as a means of meeting a host of different operational requirements. It has been used to provide discrete monitoring at high profile international VIP events where it is undesirable to overtly and publicly display that a CWA response capability is regarded as necessary, and has also recently been supplied for the first time to a NATO member air force for the provision of rapidly deployable base perimeter protection.
Instances such as the crude use of chlorine as an insurgent weapon in Iraq this year demonstrate that the claimed right of terrorists to employ WMDs will be exercised as the opportunity arises, and the need to meet proliferating challenges will continue to dictate that civil and military defence against CWAs is provided with the optimum use of available detection capabilities.
