The Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (JPEO-CBRND) participated in Aberdeen Proving Ground’s (APG) Demonstration Days (Demo Days), held on May 19-20, 2023.
JPEO-CBRND staff provided friendly and accessible demonstrations from across their portfolio of products, capabilities and programs. On display was an array of capabilities representing the Joint Project Manager (JPM) for CBRN Protection, JPM CBRN Medical, JPM CBRN Sensors, JPM CBRN Special Operations Forces (SOF), and Joint Project Lead (JPL) for CBRN Integration.
Portions of the event were dedicated to providing local students the opportunity to participate in interactive STEM demonstrations in applications ranging from robotics to health sciences.
Many visitors were drawn to the Enhanced Warfighter Augmented Training (EWAT) display. EWAT uses augmented reality to teach warfighters new procedures, assess their skills, troubleshoot issues, and enhance refresher training by mixing hands-on device training in a virtual environment. The headsets can be used anywhere and allow warfighters to safely practice handling “virtual” hazardous substances.
JPM CBRN Medical showcased several fielded technologies. On display were a suite of autoinjectors (most recognize the EpiPen as a well-known, publicly used example of an autoinjector) and several diagnostic devices – better understood since our collective experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic. JPM CBRN Medical staff members demonstrated the Rapid Opioid Countermeasure System (ROCS) naloxone autoinjector. ROCS is designed to counter high-potency opioids and can save lives of exposed warfighters through administration by an autoinjector, even more potent than the Narcan product available to the public to reverse an opioid overdose.
Additional displays included CBRN Sensor Integration on Robotic Platforms (CSIRP) semi-autonomous drone and robotics technology. Attendees had the chance to drive the same CSIRP robot that will help the Joint Force leverage advances in artificial intelligence, machine learning, sensing and communication capabilities to support timely and accurate CBRN hazard detection, warning and reporting to keep warfighters safe when on the battlefield, and give Commanders access to more vital information to aid them in their decision making.
JPL CBRN Integration further explained how critical information collected via CBRN sensors feeds into a tool like the CBRN Support to Command and Control (CSC2). This integration keeps warfighters out of harm’s way and provides early CBRN warning and decision support in the field.