DefenceTalkThe Department of Defense is modernizing its approach for developing medical countermeasures to protect warfighters from novel biological agents. This is made clear in a new document, “Approach for Research, Development and Acquisition of Medical Countermeasures and Test Products,” which was recently published by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Chemical […]https://www.defencetalk.com/dod-aims-to-shield-warfighters-from-novel-biological-agents-79712/

DefenceTalkIranian authorities have introduced defence systems in 51 cities to counter “biological, radiological and chemical threats”, deputy defence minister Mehdi Farahi has announced. The defence ministry has “provided 51 cities in the country with the necessary installations and equipment for passive defence”, Farahi was cited as saying on Saturday by Iribnews, the state broadcaster’s website. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-announces-defence-system-against-chemical-biological-threats-79317/

DefenceTalkDefenceTalkFLIR Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FLIR) announced it has been awarded a full-rate production option worth $21.8 million on an indefinite-delivery/ indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract with the United States (U.S.) Army. FLIR will deliver its Agentase™ C2 disclosure spray to detect G- and V-series nerve agents, highly toxic chemical warfare agents. The contract will support the Army’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-awards-contract-to-flir-for-nerve-agent-disclosure-spray-75930/

DefenceTalkDUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah: Helping to keep Soldiers, first responders and populations safe from chemical and biological agents is an effort that requires early detection and identification, correct sampling and decontamination methods taught by a team of experts willing to train response teams anywhere in the world. Tony Kemp and Wendell Williams are seasoned program […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-team-equips-soldiers-to-take-on-chemical-biological-warfare-71400/

DefenceTalkA US Army lab sent a live sample of anthrax to Canada by mistake and may have sent the deadly bacteria to the Pentagon’s police force as well, officials said Tuesday. The latest discoveries raised fresh questions about the Defense Department’s handling of the lethal material and the extent of the problem involving mistaken shipments […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-military-confirms-more-anthrax-blunders-64382/

DefenceTalkResearchers are refining for Army use a commercial technology that will allow Soldiers to accurately and rapidly detect an array of chemical and biological hazards – from mustard agent to anthrax – and then transmit those results to their higher command. At the same time, the technology is smart enough to differentiate between those chemicals […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-devices-may-soon-help-soldiers-detect-chemicals-bio-threats-63196/

DefenceTalkIn today’s world, in which the threat of terrorism looms, there is an urgent need for fast, reliable tools to detect the release of deadly chemical warfare agents (CWAs). In the journal ACS Macro Letters, scientists are reporting new progress toward thin-film materials that could rapidly change colors in the presence of CWAs — an […]https://www.defencetalk.com/detecting-chemical-weapons-with-a-color-changing-film-62311/

DefenceTalkThe last of Syria’s declared chemical agents have been shipped from the war-torn country after months of delays and are en route for destruction at sea, the world’s chemical watchdog said on Monday. “As we speak, the ship (carrying the last chemicals) has just left the port (of Latakia),” Ahmet Uzumcu, head of the Organization […]https://www.defencetalk.com/last-dangerous-chemicals-shipped-from-syria-watchdog-59977/

DefenceTalkResearchers at Oregon State University have discovered that some compounds called polyoxoniobates can degrade and decontaminate nerve agents such as the deadly sarin gas, and have other characteristics that may make them ideal for protective suits, masks or other clothing. The use of polyoxoniobates for this purpose had never before been demonstrated, scientists said, and […]https://www.defencetalk.com/new-method-discovered-to-protect-against-chemical-weapons-59732/

DefenceTalkAn envelope laced with ricin intended for the president of the United States was intercepted in April 2013 by law enforcement officials when protocols established for mail screenings revealed the threat of a biological weapon. Ricin is a highly toxic, naturally occurring protein found in the seeds of the castor oil plant. There is currently […]https://www.defencetalk.com/army-scientists-to-improve-methods-of-detecting-decontaminating-ricin-49693/