LYNNTECH INC. — Department of Defense SBIR Phase I: CBD192-001

Description

Future engagements (especially with near-peer threats) present the possibility of a wide range of anticipated operational situations involving the presence of chemical threat agents. With this, deployment of Military Working Dogs (MWDs) is likely. This creates a situational awareness that MWDs are potentially at risk from exposure to a wide range of hazardous chemicals. Potential threat agents include traditional chemical warfare agents (CWAs), and Toxic Industrial Chemicals (TICs). Given these, a capability gap has been identified with regards to MWD decontamination technologies that includes i) effective decontamination materials, and; ii) sensitive detection materials that can be used to ascertain that contamination level objective has been achieved. The objective in Phase I is to determine potential indicator technologies to be used to ascertain contamination on the canine and determine decontamination candidates for use in the field with limited external resources. Decontamination candidates will not require additional water or consumables and will be easily utilized when the handler is in full PPE. Effectiveness will be evaluated on fur, paws, eyes and skin using chemical surrogates on canine cadavers. Lynntech aims to apply its proven and demonstrated decontamination and detection materials towards the development of a responsive MWD decontamination kit in this effort.