Topics in this issue include rapid response teams, drone sensors for CBRN threats, x-ray assisted IED disposal, China’s nuclear arsenal and more…
In This Article
China Making Some Missiles More Powerful
After decades of maintaining a minimal nuclear force, China has re-engineered many of its long-range ballistic missiles to carry multiple warheads, a step that federal officials and policy analysts say appears designed to give pause to the United States as it prepares to deploy more robust missile defenses in the Pacific. NY Times >>
Near-Zero Program to Revolutionize Remote Sensors
DARPA’s new Near Zero Power RF and Sensor Operations (N-ZERO) program seeks to overcome the power limitations of persistent sensing by developing wireless, event-driven sensing capabilities that would allow physical, electromagnetic and other sensors to remain dormant—effectively asleep yet aware—until an event of interest awakens them. Armed with Science >>
New York City Fights Fire with Data
The New York City Fire Department (FDNY) has been using the Risk-Based Inspection System (RBIS), an Oracle-based program with data-mining capabilities, to better anticipate where fires may spark. The centerpiece of the tool is FireCast, an algorithm that organizes data from five city agencies into approximately 60 risk factors, which are then used to create lists of buildings that are most vulnerable to fire. Emergency Management >>
Funding for Food Protection Rapid Response Teams
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Office of Regulatory Affairs (ORA) Office of Foods and Veterinary Medicine (OFVM) has announced the availability of up to 18 cooperative agreements to be awarded to support multi-jurisdictional, multi-disciplinary Food Protection Rapid Response Teams (RRTs). Global Biodefense >>
Myths About Nuclear Energy
We are surrounded by naturally occurring radiation. Only 0.005% of the average American’s yearly radiation dose comes from nuclear power; 100 times less than we get from coal, 200 times less than a cross-country flight, and about the same as eating 1 banana per year. Center for Nuclear Science and Technology Information >>
America’s Next Big Challenge: Preventing an Iranian Nuclear Leakout
The proposed Iran framework completely ignores the risk of leakout: the proliferation of nuclear technology and expertise from Iran to other countries. Iran, once the recipient of foreign nuclear assistance, is now poised to provide that assistance, either deliberately or through unauthorized acts by scientists or companies, to other countries. The National Interest >>
US, Slovak Chemical Troops Conduct Joint Training
Paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade, along with soldiers from the Slovak army, participated in combined platoon-sized chemical defense training in Lest, Slovakia as part of Exercise Toxic Lance. The 12-day exercise is the most recent opportunity for the paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Brigade Special Troops Battalion’s Chemical Dismounted Reconnaissance Platoon to participate in chemical training exercise between the two forces. Global Biodefense >>
2nd EOD Gets Hands on with Robot, X-Ray Assisted IED Disposal
Marines with 2nd Explosive Ordnance Disposal Company, 8th Engineer Support Battalion participated in a live-fire demolition exercise aboard Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, May 14, 2015. The unit conducted the range as part of their preparation for an upcoming deployment with Special Purpose Marine Air-Ground Task Force Crisis Response-Africa in July. USMC >>
Adorable, Disposable Drones Will Sniff Out Chemical Weapons in Future Wars
Developed by the Naval Research Laboratory, the lightweight, disposable Cicada drones are a similar to their namesake: Many flying all at once, turning to just brittle shells blowing in the wind once the battle is over. This week, the Pentagon put the latest version of the Cicada on display, a tiny robot warrior ready for the future. Popular Science >>