BIOLOGICAL THREAT 12 OCT 90

File: 110596_sep96_decls12_0002.txt
Page: 0002
Total Pages: 5

Subject: BIOLOGICAL THREAT 12 OCT 90                                     

Unit: OTSG        

Parent Organization: HSC         

Box ID: BX003202

Folder Title: BIOLOGICAL THREAT                                                                               

Document Number:          1

Folder SEQ  #:         28




                                            UNCLASSIFIED
                              Lq
                                DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
                       OFFICE OF THE DEPUTYCHIEFOF STAFFFOROPERATIONSAND PLANS
                                  WASH] NGTO N, DC 20310-0400


                REPLY TO
                ArrENTIONOF




         DAMO-SWC



         MEMORANDUM FOR THE DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF FOR OPERATIONS AND PLANS

         SUBJECT: Biological Threat--ACTION MEMORANDUM (U)


         1. (U) Purpose. To obtain a decision concerning the
         recommendations presented in the Biological Threat briefing to
         VCSA on 9 Oct 90.

         2. @ Discussion.

             a. (U) US has no Biological Warfare (BW) agent detector.
         US forces are not immunized against Anthrax or botulinum toxin,
         the two main Iraqi BW agents. US personal protective equipment
         will protect personnel from biological agents if warning given in
         time to put into use.

             b.        Iraq has an unproven biological capability. They
         are attributed to having anthrax and botulinum toxin. They are
         also conducting R&D on other infectious microorganism and toxins
         but the status of this work is unknown. It is presumed that Iraq
         will use BW in extreme situations. Iraq may eventually fill SCUD
         missiles with BW agents but currently is not attributed with the
         capability. The attributed agents are believed to be weaponized
         but the quantity and types and were the fill lines are located is
         unknown.

             c. @ Neither of the proposed detection devices presented
         as possible fixes, the XM2 or the LASER are currently on the
         surge list.

             d. @ The   XM2 is an air sampling device which must be
         associated with a biological analysis capability, such as the
         enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), in order to identify a
re is currently no ELISA
         certified for field us and it will not provide real time warning
         in any case. Other associated analytical detection and
         identification devices would require a relatively clean
         laboratory setting to conduct the analyses. An array of devices
         would be required, possibly as many as 60, and all would require
         time in excess of 2 hours to complete analysis. The XM2 sampler
         can be produced at the rate of 6 per month after 7 months lead
         time. It will require $7.0 M in RDT&E funds and $20 M in OPA
         funds. The risk associated with the system is high for
         performance, cost, and schedule. 10 XM2s currently available but
    31 Fi 20 BY: Multiple Sourcies          UNCLASSIFIED
    I-cS[r-Y ON: -'04DR"

Document 5 f:/Week-36/BX003202/BIOLOGICAL THREAT/biological threat 12 oct 90:11049609101313
Control Fields 17
File Room = sep96_declassified
File Cabinet = Week-36
Box ID = BX003202
Unit = OTSG
Parent Organization = HSC
Folder Title = BIOLOGICAL THREAT
Folder Seq # = 28
Subject = BIOLOGICAL THREAT 12 OCT 90
Document Seq # = 1
Document Date =
Scan Date =
Queued for Declassification = 01-JAN-1980
Short Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Long Term Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Permanent Referral = 01-JAN-1980
Non-Health Related Document = 01-JAN-1980
Declassified = 04-NOV-1996