Improved marking of contaminated areas

CML Army Chemical Review, Sept, 2003 by Cress James M.

Throughout the 1980s, the Chemical Corps sought a nuclear, biological, and chemical (NBC) reconnaissance capability that would prevent the possibility of an unwarned encounter with contaminated terrain. With the type classification of the German Transportpanzer 1 Fuchs vehicle as the standard NBC reconnaissance asset, the U.S. Army first became capable of rapidly detecting terrain contaminated with chemical agents. The U.S. variant of this vehicle was designated as the M93A1 Fox Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Reconnaissance System. The system includes a marker set which consists of a weighted base, a wire mast, and pennants for each class of NBC hazard. Enough components to assemble 175 markers are stored inside the crew compartment of the vehicle. There is a marker chute at the rear of the vehicle which allows assembled markers to be dropped outside without compromising the collective protection of the vehicle.

Starting with World War I (1914-1918), various methods of marking contaminated areas have been used. All have shared the same goal--preventing an unwarned encounter with a chemically contaminated area. The protocol for annotating the pennant or marker has remained relatively unchanged over the years. When emplaced, the unit, the date-time group, and the hazard are written on the marker, typically using a grease pencil. The identification of these markers is a common task at Skill Level 1 for all soldiers (found in Soldier Training Publication [STP] 21-1-SMCT, Soldier's Manual of Common Tasks Skill Level 1, task number 031-503-1019, React to Chemical or Biological Hazard/Attack).

The adequacy of the Fox marker system was an issue during the field-testing of the system before its type classification. With the limited number of markers on board, it was clear that placing them around a typical contaminated area would immediately consume the entire basic load of markers. Soldiers also raised issues concerning the visibility of the markers during periods of darkness and the limited amount of information available at the marker. Following the type classification, field units began to report that the markers were difficult to see and tended to tip over in rough terrain.

In 1997, the U.S. Army Chemical School's Directorate of Combat Developments at Fort McClellan, Alabama, drafted a concept for the digital marking of contaminated areas. An evaluation of a concept entitled Smart Marker was proposed. In 1998, the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Battle Lab, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, managed a limited-scale in-house project designed to demonstrate a long-duration infrared (IR) beacon. A circuit was then assembled based upon an LM3909 integrated circuit and other components purchased at a local electronics store.

The goal of this early experiment was to determine if a small, thumbnail-sized (1 centimeter by 1 centimeter) IR beacon could be used to improve the visibility of a Fox NBC marker for a period of two weeks without a battery change. This experiment was a success: the beacon worked for 87 days (on one AAA battery) without a failure.

The success of the beacon project prompted an investigation into the scope of the capabilities that could be included in a marking system product improvement. The Maneuver Support Center Battle Lab was sponsoring an Army advanced technology demonstration that looked at the development of decision tool software for NBC personnel. The prototype software was installed on a commercially available Windows [R] CE-based personal data assistant (PDA). The PDA mirrored the capabilities of laptop computers with the same graphics, text files, database utilities, and IR port. When the software contractor delivered the products, they were demonstrated on a PDA that also had a personal computer radio frequency (RF) modem card for Internet access. This allowed the user to obtain online maps via a Web site. Further investigation revealed small Global Positioning System integrated circuits that could be used inside a Smart Marker.

A demonstration to transfer a field survey form and a graphic hazard from a laptop to a PDA was conducted. This caused further interest in the concept. The Smart Marker concept was revised and improved based on the combination of technology demonstrations, market surveys, and collateral readings resulting in development of a U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Concept Evaluation Program (CEP) proposal.

The funding needed to conduct the Smart Marker CEP was approved in 1999. The goals of the program were to improve the visibility of the marker and increase the amount of information it makes available. A statement of work was then prepared and a solicitation for bid issued. The University of Missouri-Rolla was selected for the contract, and work began. Government personnel provided the background information on the concept and its goals for the experiment. The one government-specified constraint for the design team was to use commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) technology or components whenever possible.