used in the Koream conflict. Other data has resulted in a change in the design of small arms ammunition. Biological Fermentation industries involving biological agents have been known for centuries, but at Fort Detrick, Maryland, the Chemical Corps has pioneered in the bio-engineering field of large scale culture of pathogenic or other hazardous materials. Complex techniques for their production were developed, culminating in design criteria, technical assistance to the Corps of Engineers during construction, and the operation of biological agent production facilities. These facilities provide complete safety to the workers within the building as well as to the surrounding community (Fig. 78). Decontamination procedures have been developed so that materiel including extremely sensitive scientific instruments can be repeatedly decontaminated without injury. These procedures have found practical application in decontaminating commercial airline equipment in which polio virus was inadvertently spilled, as well as for trucks, railroad cars and B47 and B52 type airplanes. In providing safety during the investigation of aerosols of infectious biological agents, systems have been developed to allow the complete separation of the toxic environment from the laboratory worker, yet allowing sampling and manipulation of the biological material under investigation. These procedures allow the worker to retain the sensitivity and manual dexterity of the human hands by working through glove ports (Fig. 79) Other developments include special filters, electrostatic precipitators, methods for removal and counting of micro-organisms in the atmosphere which allows detection of micro-organisms when the concentration may be on the order of 10-14 gram per liter. The Chemical Corps has pioneered in the mass rearing of insects. This is an example of the application of modern production engineering technology to biological systems, and the integration of the two technologies alone. Mathematical models to describe biological phenomena have been developed; for example, it has been possible to formulate a model for an epiphytotic (the spread of a plant disease through an agricultural area) and a model describing the course of infection and disease in man is nearing completion. Fig. 79. The Reynier Chamber at Dugway Proving Ground is used to study BW aerosols under strictly controlled conditions. Animals and samplers may be installed in the chamber to sample the aerosol. Original work has been conducted in a new field of aerobiology, that is the production, measurement, and effects of biological aerosols. Devices have been built to produce aerosols in the 1 to 5 micron range with very narrow size distributions. Radiological - The Chemical Corps has developed new and improved instruments such as fallout collectors for use in the determination of the extent and intensity of fallout (Fig. 80). Tests have been conducted which conclusively prove that clouds of chemical smoke effectively attenuate thermal radiation effects from atomic explosions. Preliminary investigations have demonstrated the existence of synergistic effects of radiation and chemical agents. This work is currently being expanded in coordination with the Surgeon General. Special items materials, methods Large area field testing of CW and BW munitions have been conducted at Dugway Proving Ground which covers about 1, 400 square miles, and represents a capital investment of $41, 500, 000, 80 miles southwest of Salt Lake, Utah. A well-staffed meteorological division is capable of making long and short range micro and macro meteorological forecasts. The Dugway grids range from 1, 800 sq. ft. to 111/2 miles long, and are designed to measure the speed and extent of diffusion of gases and aerosols. Agent dispersion tests have been conducted on these grids using mechanical samplers, animals, and even human volunteers. These tests have provided data used in the design of munitions which produce the maximum dispersion of chemical and biological warfare agents (Fig. 81). R&D Skills The Deputy Chief Chemical Officer for Scientific Activities and the Assistant Chief Chemical Officer for Planning and Doctrine provide general overall direction for the Chemical, Biological, and Radiological R&D programs. The U. S. Army Chemical Corps Research and Development Command Staff provides the direction for each of the agent-munitions systems, as well as defensive materiel development. The engineering talent is furnished by the central engineering group known as the U. S. Army Chemical Corps Engineering |