BIOLOGICAL THREAT 12 OCT 90

File: 110596_sep96_decls12_0003.txt
Page: 0003
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




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         untested and have been in storage since 1982.

             e.      The last field testing of the LASER system was in
         1986. At that time the program was unfunded and the hardware was
         loaned to Los Alamos National Laboratory for their studies on
         other requirements. The time to complete development and commence
         procurement is estimated as 6 months lead time to production, 2
         months of production at a cost of $2 M RDT&E funds and $4 M in
         OPA funds. In addition the systems will be required to be
         supported by 2 modified fixed wing aircraft and 1 standard
         helicopter on a full time basis. A culling system to get the
         LASER aircraft in position for real time warning is also
         required. This system will require contractor maintenance in
         country. The system will present an eye hazard and operating
         personnel will require laser eye protection, The risk for this
         system is high for cost and schedule and moderate for
         performance. There is only an experimental development model of
         the LASER system available.

             f. (U) Chances of success in providing a near term capability
         or even a mid-term capability without a significant break through
         in technology are considered low to very low. Providing devices
         to the AOR which have not been adequately developed and tested
         would constitute a potential for false sense of security and may
         lead to more problems than not having a detector.

             g. @ in the absence of a detector, immunizations could
         substantially improve the protective posture of personnel present
         in the AOR. The required doses necessary to infect personnel who
         are immunized would increase to a point where it might not be
and maintain the on site
         concentration, ie it would take more agent than is readily
         available or producible. In fact immunization might even be
         considered a deterrent from that point of view.

            h. (U) OTSG and ODCSINT concur.

         3. @ Recommendations. a) Since the current proposed devices do
         not and can not meet the near term or even mid-term r@irement
         they should not be surged into the system. b) that the AMC be
         directed to re-establish the IASER programs within their current
         resources temporarily and submit the LASER as a PARR issue in the
         coming budgetary discussions. c) OTSG should be prepared to
         commence immunization as soon as practicable with priority given
         to the highest risk personnel





                                         LOUIS J. DEL ROSSO
                                         Major General, GS
                                         Director, Space and
                                           Special Weapons

                                       Dr. R.E. Boyle/DAMO-SWC/73535/SM-9
                                            u

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