BIOLOGICAL THREAT 12 OCT 90

File: 110596_sep96_decls12_0004.txt
Page: 0004
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




                                            u            D


                               DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
                      OFFICE OF THE DEPUTYCHIEF OF STAFF FOR OPERATIONSAND PLANS
                                 WASHINGTON, DC 20310-0400


               R@LYTO
               ATTENTIONOF




        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
        particular BW agent which is a time. There is currently no ELISA
ll 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
     F1 ED BY. Multiple Soumgs           UNCLASSIFIED
     ,ir-Y ON- "OADR"

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