CBRNeWORLD
The MoD is very excited about their new biological detect to warn capability ©Thales Other systems, such as DetectBio
and VPBDS, utilise a trigger technology, whereby the device pulls a sample through particle counting, luminescence or flame spectrometry once a certain threshold is reached. This sample is then either automatically or manually introduced to a biological identifier. This cuts down the need to deploy troops to (potentially) remote or hazardous environments and provides more dependable and timely warnings. The UK did not follow that route, and Wing Cdr Kendall explained why: “That is the technological solution that DSTL advised and we have chosen. I am not aware of the technology that you are talking about so can’t compare and contrast in terms of the efficacy and probability of detection and confidence level they would give. We have thought long and hard about this and determined that the most effective method is the dry filter collection method and putting it through the assays and PCR. It is an intensive
process, a 24hr operation that would give us a high degree of confidence should we be attacked.” Currently BSCS is the biological
detection future for the MoD as well, as Wing Cdr Kendall stated. “At the moment, there is nothing else coming. We will continue to look out for step changes in technology; the holy grail is instant detection of a bio agent with a high degree of confidence, so there is no masking up for false alarms. Technology is not there yet, but as it advances we will look to enhance and improve our bio surveillance and detection systems. The beauty of BSCS is that it is a system of systems so we have the CL3 lab as a core capability and you can envisage a situation in which there are add ons to the collector to enhance that. If PCR panels improve they could be changed. So as technology becomes available there could be a spiral development of the capability – it is ripe for that.” Thales as key systems integrator is
very happy with the team that brought the capability together, and is hoping to take it out to export. Gareth Williams, VP secure communications and information systems at Thales UK Ltd said: “BSCS fits within our skill set as a systems integrator. What we have found is that we have good engineering know- how for getting lots of capability into small spaces with the ruggedness and robustness we have. There are some specific capabilities that we think would be useful beyond the UK, from an export perspective, and we will look to pursue some of those. Equally, we have some interest in the system from around the world, as it gets deployed and used effectively. The market is still developing, and this is ground breaking technology that we are fielding here. We will look at opportunities that exist globally. There are some very specific markets and countries with a demand we are following.” MoD equally seems happy, Ian
Smith, of the intelligence surveillance
www.cbrneworld.com CBRNe Convergence, Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Indiana, USA, 6 - 8 Nov 2017
www.cbrneworld.com/convergence2017
June 2017 CBRNe WORLD
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