Dugway Proving Ground begins test of next-generation chemical detectors

By Mr. Al VogelNovember 30, 2015

Joint Chemical Agent Detectors
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Joint Chemical Agent Detectors (JCAD) prepared for chamber testing in 2003. The JCAD was adopted for issue after years of testing at Dugway Proving Ground. Next fall, testing of four different Next Generation Chemical Detectors (NGCD) will begin here... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Joint Chemical Agent Detectors
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – During a 2012 training scenario with simulated chemical agent, a Soldier checks a Stryker with a Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) that was tested extensively at Dugway Proving Ground from the late 1990s to 2011. Testing of four different Next Gen... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Joint Chemical Agent Detectors
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Joint Chemical Agent Detectors (JCAD) in a chamber, awaiting the introduction of chemical agent in a 2011 test. Tested extensively at Dugway Proving Ground (DPG), this JCAD is now current issue. Testing of four different Next Generation Chemical Dete... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

U.S. ARMY DUGWAY PROVING GROUND, Utah -- Next fall, Dugway Proving Ground (DPG) begins testing the next generation of detectors that will warn Warfighters of non-traditional agents, chemical warfare agents or toxic industrial chemicals.

The Next Generation Chemical Detector (NGCD) Program has begun at DPG, and pre-test preparations are underway. Testing is scheduled to begin in fall of 2016 and continue at least five years, according to Jonathan Fields, DPG test officer.

The NGCD Program focuses on equipping Warfighters with the most advanced detection capabilities for all chemical threats.

As a joint program, approved detectors are intended for all services and some civilian agencies. The next generation detectors will improve selectivity and sensitivity, detection, consequence management, reconnaissance and the capability to interdict weapons of mass destruction. Their system performance, based on Warfighter needs, will be tested and evaluated in a wide range of environments.

Testing will be at DPG's Combined Chemical Test Facility and Materiel Test Facility. Agents and toxic chemicals will only be used in chambers with redundant filtration and safety systems. Outdoor testing will use benign substances to simulate agent or toxic chemicals.

Four different types of detectors will be challenged with actual and simulated chemical warfare agents, non-traditional agents and toxic industrial chemicals:

1: Man-portable detector alarm that will detect, identify and quantify agents or chemicals in aerosol or vapor form.

2: Man-portable survey detector that, from a short distance, detects liquid or solid agents and chemicals on surfaces.

3: Sample Analysis System that collects, identifies and samples chemicals in all forms.

4: Man-portable Personnel Detector Alarm to detect, identify and quantify agents or chemicals in aerosol or vapor form. This alarm is expected to replace the current Joint Chemical Agent Detector (JCAD) issued to U.S. forces, tested at DPG from the late 1990s to 2011.

Dugway's Chemical Test Division will increase its capabilities to meet NGCD Program testing requirements. New technologies, methods and infrastructure efforts are currently underway and will continue for the next few years, according to Fields.

The NGCD Program is on an oversight list of the Director, Operational Test & Evaluation, headquartered at the Pentagon. Its listing equals a Stryker armored vehicle version (NBCRV), tested at DPG from 2003 to 2009. Designed to provide mobile early warning and sampling of chemical and biological agents, the Stryker NBCRV is used by U.S. forces around the world.

DPG is under Army Test and Evaluation Command, headquartered in Maryland.

Related Links:

The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command

The U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground

The U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command Facebook

The U.S. Army Dugway Proving Ground Facebook