AF attacks biological agents with heat, humidity > U.S. Air Force > Article Display
A recent Joint Capability Technology Demonstration (JCTD) on a C-130 Hercules cargo aircraft at Orlando International Airport, Florida, showed how hot, humid air can decontaminate large pieces of equipment from biological agents.
The Air Mobility Command-hosted demonstration of the Joint Biological Agent Decontamination System (JBADS) several weeks ago, signaled the multi-year project is coming to a close. The success of the new technology is the result of collaboration among several Defense Department and other government organizations.
During the demonstration, an Air Force Research Laboratory technical team simulated anthrax contamination by using an environmentally safe, commercially available organic insecticide. The team, with contract support from AeroClave LLC, then showed how heat and humidity in a closed environment can eliminate both interior and exterior biological contamination.
"Although final results of the JCTD are pending, preliminary indicators point to a 'complete kill' of the biological simulant," said Larry Magnuson, the AMC JBADS operational manager.
JBADS is a revolutionary decontamination process designed to meet an urgent joint service need to expedite the return of a biologically contaminated aircraft to full service without placing aircrew members and support personnel at risk of exposure. U.S. Transportation Command and U.S. Strategic Command sponsored, and AMC managed, the demonstration.
In the final Operational Utility Assessment, November 2014 through January 2015, AFRL conducted two separate JBADS demonstrations using high levels of heat and relative humidity (170 F and 90 percent relative humidity). The two decontamination cycles ran three and four days, respectively, to complete. The goal of each demonstration was to reduce simulant concentrations to "below infectious levels."
An additional goal was to ensure that the JBADS process was not harmful to aircraft equipment and material. An independent assessment is still underway to confirm the findings; however, the preliminary results indicate that all JBADS goals were met. The final assessment report is expected by April.
Dr. Donald Erbschloe, the AMC chief scientist, hosted the final out-brief that was attended by the Air Force chief scientist as well as representatives of the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering (Emerging Capabilities & Prototyping), Department of Homeland Security, Joint Requirements Office, Joint Science and Technology Office, Joint Program Executive Office, USTRANSCOM, U.S. Strategic Command, Defense Threat Reduction Agency, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Air Force Special Operations Command and AMC.
"This series of JBADS demonstrations culminates a seven-year effort to find a process that will neutralize biological warfare agents and naturally occurring diseases such as pandemic influenza and Ebola without harming aircraft systems and ensuring the safety of aircrew, maintainers, and ground handlers," Erbschloe said.
Erbschloe said the results look promising.
"The success of the demonstration would not have been possible without the outstanding research and support provided by a large cross section of DOD agencies and industry working in full cooperation. This was a true team effort."
With the completion of the JBADS demonstrations, the results will be forwarded for future development while the aircraft and the associated equipment remain available for future DOD studies and deployment if needed.
