U.S. Army's CHAD Project Transitions to Program of Record for Enhanced Equipment Decontamination
The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center has transitioned the Chemical Hot Air Decontamination (CHAD) project to a Program of Record. This initiative, funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency's Joint Science and Technology Office, aims to expedite the decontamination of sensitive military equipment exposed to chemical agents.
Traditional methods, like soap and water, are unsuitable for sensitive items, whereas CHAD uses heat, airflow, and humidity to safely decontaminate equipment. The system can treat multiple items simultaneously, with a non-detection time as short as two hours for gear like gas masks and rifles. The Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Protection will oversee further development, including testing and demonstrations, as CHAD advances through the acquisition process.
