All aboard!


operational needs related to CBRND with a view to ensuring that what we do will benefit the operator on the ground both today and into the future.”


Radioisotope identification system One of the D JCBRN D’s projects was the renewal of CAF’s stock of radioisotope identification detectors (RIIDs), which identify radioactive elements through their unique gamma ray signatures. These provide crucial information to various CAF units, including boarding parties and special operations units, which could be operating in radioactive environments. It was difficult to choose the right


RIID. There is a range of low and high sensitivity models on the market, with various energy resolutions and costs. The directors of the radioisotope


identification system (RadIS) project decided to incorporate a testing methodology into the evaluation process to ensure the selection of an appropriate system. Determining which specific tests best characterise a RIID requires knowledge that can only be obtained through such testing, however, the RIIDs were tested at DRDC’s Ottawa research centre. A team of seven researchers evaluated five sample RIIDs, according to criteria and sub-criteria designed to characterise the RIIDs’ performance in situations and environments similar to envisioned end-use scenarios. It was found that some of the commercial off the shelf (COTS) systems tested met the CAF requirements. The team also compared those five RIIDs to the three currently in service, most of which are being replaced through this project. The scientific team issued several


recommendations. The first was that some form of consistent testing methodology was absolutely necessary in procurement, as vendors present their capabilities in ways that cannot always be directly compared. The second was to carefully select tests that would exclude inappropriate systems while not being so stringent as to eliminate all COTS systems and drive the procurement process back to the beginning. In a standard procurement, requirements are generated from the


intended users and from market research that indicates what is available commercially. With this approach several groups of end users, both field and reach-back personnel, enjoyed the opportunity to try indicative devices and then add or modify requirements to the bid. Now that the contract has been


awarded, all the stakeholders are very satisfied with the results. The information gained from up-front investment in the buy and try approach was a big factor in the project’s success. The procurement team is also pleased with the results, as the up-front testing guaranteed that the stated requirements were both achievable with COTS equipment and, more importantly, fulfilled the CAF needs. This is definitely a preferred approach as practical testing rather than attestation by a vendor is used to verify that items conform to end user needs.


The decontamination system The CAF CBRN decontamination system replaces ageing, existing equipment and decontaminants, which have become obsolete and unsupportable. The previous CAF decontaminants had adverse environmental effects and were taken out of service. The remaining acceptable decontaminant in service is only effective against chemical agents. The decon system project will introduce a full-spectrum decontaminant effective against chemical, radiological and biological agents, while minimising environmental impact and is not classified as dangerous goods in transport. The decon system is a transportable,


comprehensive system that can sustain a decontamination capability for 24 hours before external replenishment is needed. It has the following features: • Vehicle decontamination module. • Personnel decontamination module. • Equipment decontamination module. • Surface and road decontamination capability. • Environment protection system (EPS). • Full-spectrum CBR decontaminant.


The following is a general representation of the decon system. The system is stored and transported


using two ISO containers (one for the personnel / equipment decontamination module, and one for the EPS, consumables and a vehicle flat rack). In accordance with CAF CBRN


doctrine, capabilities like the decon system are designed to process 20 personnel, their equipment, and four military vehicles per hour. This processing rate depends on several factors unrelated to the equipment itself, including TTPs (eg triage, contamination monitoring, undress techniques, etc), training of both the decontamination team and the contaminated personnel and proper management of the decontamination lines. As part of the procurement contract, the vendor is providing initial cadre training that will address the technical aspects of the decon system set-up, operation, take-down, maintenance, etc) The decon project/D JCBRN D will assist users in the development and validation of effective TTPs, and the conduct of initial collective training exercises in order to ensure that the operational capability is delivered along with the equipment.


Vehicle decontamination module The entire module, including power generation, mixing / pressurising sub- systems, a crane, sprayers and sufficient decontaminant for at least 12 armoured vehicles (ie one cycle), is integrated onto a single flat rack that meets container dimension standards. In its large scale configuration, the vehicle decontamination line is broken down into three stations: pre-wash, decontamination and rinse. Effluents from all three stations are collected by the EPS and stored in onion tanks.


Personnel decontamination module This module will contain all the necessary equipment, power and water for decontaminating personnel. The personnel decon system is scalable and can accommodate four personnel or two personnel lines, and one which may be used for non-ambulatory (casualty) decontamination. All effluents from the personnel decontamination module are collected and stored through the EPS.


CBRNe Convergence, Orlando, USA, 6-8 November 2018 www.cbrneworld.com/convergence2018 20 CBRNe WORLD February 2018 www.cbrneworld.com


CBRNeWORLD


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