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Soldiers Try CIDAS Agent Spray in Demo

By Al VogelMay 20, 2021

A Soldier from the 365th Chemical Company BIDS, 76th Operational Response Command, mixes the Agent Disclosure Spray, comprised of a proprietary powder and water. When sprayed on simulated or actual chemical agent, the spray changes color. Six U.S. Army Reservists and two Alabama National Guardsmen participated in the user demonstration April 20, 2021. Photos by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier from the 365th Chemical Company BIDS, 76th Operational Response Command, mixes the Agent Disclosure Spray, comprised of a proprietary powder and water. When sprayed on simulated or actual chemical agent, the spray changes color. Six U.S. Army Reservists and two Alabama National Guardsmen participated in the user demonstration April 20, 2021.
Photos by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs (Photo Credit: US Army/Al Vogel) VIEW ORIGINAL
Test personnel apply a simulated chemical agent to a small spot on a vehicle April 20, 2021, so Soldiers may use the Contamination Indicator Decontamination Assurance System spray to reveal it later.
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Test personnel apply a simulated chemical agent to a small spot on a vehicle April 20, 2021, so Soldiers may use the Contamination Indicator Decontamination Assurance System spray to reveal it later. (Photo Credit: US Army/Al Vogel) VIEW ORIGINAL
A Soldier from the 365th Chemical Company, 76th ORC sprays down a truck exterior to determine the presence of a simulated chemical agent during testing of the Contamination Indicator Decontamination Assurance System (CIDAS). The liquid turns a different color when encountering a simulated or actual chemical agent. Photo by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A Soldier from the 365th Chemical Company, 76th ORC sprays down a truck exterior to determine the presence of a simulated chemical agent during testing of the Contamination Indicator Decontamination Assurance System (CIDAS). The liquid turns a different color when encountering a simulated or actual chemical agent.
Photo by Al Vogel, Dugway Public Affairs
(Photo Credit: US Army/Al Vogel) VIEW ORIGINAL

Six U.S. Army Reservists from the 365th Chemical Company BIDS, 76th Operational Response Command, and two Alabama National Guardsmen from the Alabama Homeland Response Force (HRF) participated in a user demonstration of a sprayed liquid that changes color to indicate the presence of chemical agent on a surface.

The Agent Disclosure Spray (ADS) came from the Contamination Indicator Decontamination Assurance System (CIDAS) onto vehicles “contaminated” with simulated agent. For the Soldiers, it was an opportunity to learn how well the prototype system worked.

The system is not only used to determine whether something is contaminated, it also indicates missed areas after decontamination.

The revealing ADS was mixed at the scene in two configurations, one for nerve agents and one for blister agents. The spray is composed of two parts, each a liquid created by mixing water and proprietary powders. When the two parts are pumped to the application wand, they create a spray that discloses the presence of chemical agent as a color change.

Small and large scale applicators were tried against vehicles “contaminated” with simulated agent. Testing was conducted to refine how CIDAS will be used in the hands of warfighters.

The small, handheld applicator will be used for an immediate operation on a small area. The larger applicator, carried on the back or slung over a shoulder, offers more Agent Disclosure Spray for operational use.

“Immediate is a decontamination process used to save their lives, done quickly,” said Francis Bahe, test control officer. “Operational would be more involved, to return to their mission.”

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