Inside Chemring

What’s the current operational picture?

Today’s defence landscape is arguably the most volatile it’s ever been. With an increased focus on autonomous technology and the associated challenges, it can be all too easy to overlook the variety of threats that have cast shadows on our militaries for many years, including chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear (CBRN) weapons. 
 
Whilst biological threats aren’t new, NATO faces an ever-evolving spectrum of challenges from CBRN warfare. Traditionally understood materials, such as Anthrax, that were favoured in the Cold War have yet to disappear, while an ever-expanding threat list grows from the realm of synthetic biology, artificial intelligence, and bioinformatics. Moreover, Russia has made claims about the potential use of biological weapons in modern warfare during the Ukraine conflict. Moreover, chemical threats have already materialised beyond the traditional battlefield, as demonstrated by the 2018 Novichok attack in Salisbury, UK – a nerve agent incident that brought warfare tactics into a quiet English city.
 
Recent reporting in the Washington Post even revealed that Russia’s biological capability is intensifying, with the major expansion of legacy Soviet bioweapons facilities. Experts are warning that ‘new technologies could supercharge the capabilities of a revived programme’, as new high-containment labs for deadly pathogens are developed – clear evidence that Moscow is once again investing heavily in this domain. With the USSR’s historic focus on offensive biological programmes, this raises sharp questions about intent and future risk.

The landscape is changing, and biological risk is advancing, becoming easier to create and simpler to deploy. This is a threat that can’t be overlooked.
  
NATO forces: multi-skilled, biologically exposed 

The global COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities both inside and outside of defence, demonstrating how large-scale biological threats – whether naturally occurring or human-made – can rapidly take hold of large numbers of people, disrupting operations and challenging national security. 

Looking through a defence lens, NATO forces are smaller in numbers than they have ever been, with those serving having multiple roles and responsibilities. Whilst arguably more efficient on the surface, this leaves forces vulnerable to biological threats, be they purposefully transmitted or otherwise. Losing even a small number of individuals can vastly limit combat effectiveness or, in the case of a mass outbreak, render an asset inoperable. 

The US Navy aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, was unfortunate enough to fall victim to this in Spring 2020, with the COVID-19 virus taking hold of the crew on the ship, affecting port visits and, crucially, the health of a significant number of sailors on board. 

The pressure and scope of roles in the military mean personnel are taking on increased responsibility across the board, bringing greater risk and implications and a palpable domino effect. Lose one individual – and potentially lose multiple capabilities.

Whilst COVID-19 very much sits in the realms of an infectious disease with no malicious human intent driving it, there are clear parallels that can be drawn between the outcomes of a virus and a deliberate biological attack.  

The challenge is that both threats are invisible and silent, creating uncertainty about exposure, protection measures and, critically, how to achieve rapid, accurate detection.  
Given NATO’s assessment that biological materials present threats which ‘challenge detection, response and protection measures’, defence planners must urgently examine available options to mitigate these risks.

So, what can be done? How do you go about detecting a silent, imperceptible issue? 

Countermeasure in motion and how the US military is already on board

For a number of years now, Chemring’s subsidiary business, Chemring Sensors and Electronic Systems (CSES), has been developing, testing, and manufacturing solutions to tackle this evolving threat. 

CSES’s latest products, the Joint Biological Tactical Detection System (JBTDS) and Enhanced Maritime Biological Detection (EMBD) sensors, operate across multiple domains, providing real-time detection of aerosolised biological warfare agents. Outperforming competitors by accurately distinguishing biological agents from background particles while generating far fewer false alarms, the rapid, precise detection enables faster decision making. This is an unprecedented achievement for biological sensors operating at such high sensitivity levels. 

Interoperability is the hallmark of all our sensors as they are easily integrated into existing vehicles, vessels and defence sites, enhancing military capability to detect early and respond to biological threats across tactical environments in real-time. 

Designed for operation in the world’s harshest environments, both EMBD and JBTDS have successfully completed extensive verification and validation processes with the U.S. military. These programs included successful completion of operational, performance, environmental, interface, human factors, and product support tests to ensure system effectiveness anywhere in the world at any time. 

Already in use in the US military, these tried and tested systems are making a huge impact across air, land and sea. They offer real-time threat detection, allowing forces to quickly identify hazards, implement mitigation measures, and resume operations. This rapid response capability provides commanders with essential time savings, enabling more informed decision making and improved operational effectiveness. This begs the question: can we really afford not to operate this way?
Strategic view: the bigger picture 

Applications of these sensors extend beyond the realms of defence and emergency response with numerous public health and infrastructure implications. Much of the core technology already utilised in public facilities mirrors military needs, requiring quick and effective decision making to protect people. 
Where advancements are made in defence, such as with the JBTDS and EMBD biosensors, positive implications could absolutely be felt across the wider public as systems become more integrated and increasingly effective. 

A look to the future battlefield

Defence must consider the entire threat landscape, and CSES’s biosensor products offer a significant step change in the ability to meet the demands of the technology arms race. 

The future holds many uncertainties, but the imperative for enhanced technologies and agile decision making in military contexts is undeniable. Whether confronting another pandemic or countering sophisticated biological weapons from state adversaries, allied nations must work together to harness available technologies and maintain operational superiority.

Most importantly, what is the impact if we don’t?