Document Type

Article

Publication Date

Summer 2013

Abstract

The biological defense community needs to take a hard look at the requirements and assumptions we use to develop our biological sensors. Today the point sensors currently deployed or in development can offer at best “near real time” detection. This translates into approximately 10-20 minutes from the time an agent passes over the device until an alarm is issued. Why are we working to develop detection hardware which in reality contributes little to no advantage to an operational environment? Should the DOD resist fielding (in the near term) “near real time” detection systems, and instead field slower (but much more sensitive and selective) sensors in the interim while re-engaging basic research to find a truly real–time biological detection capability?

Comments

As an official U.S. Army publication, Countering WMD Journal is not copyrighted. Material published in Countering WMD Journal can be freely reproduced, distributed, displayed, or reprinted; however, appropriate credit should be given to Countering WMD Journal and its authors.

Countering WMD Journal has a searchable open archive here.

Source Publication

Countering WMD Journal

Download

Share

COinS