BETTER OFF WITH CEDS
Te large variant CEDS resembles a medium-sized metal ship- ping container, while the small variant looks like an inflatable tent-like structure with soft walls.
PUTTING IT TO THE TEST Te small variant CEDS completed developmental and opera- tional testing (DT/OT) at the Vojenský výzkumný ústav, s.p. (VVU) in the Czech Republic as part of a larger testing event. Te objective for the DT/OT in the Czech Republic was to conduct field tests to evaluate the small CEDS’ performance at various chemical agent challenge levels.
“Testing CEDS’ decontamination capability on the operational equipment SOF users rely on to safely complete their missions, using real-life threats they encounter, was the uncompromising goal I had for this test program,” said Traci Sheely, JPM CBRN SOF joint product lead for the program of record portfolio. “Surrogate materials or equipment and simulants [for chemical agents] don’t provide the level of certainty needed to ensure that when we field CEDS, we can be confident that our SOF users are safe. Tat’s why we chose to conduct this testing at the VVU— to use real-life threats on actual equipment.”
SAVING TIME, SAVING LIVES
The CEDS, once fielded, will rapidly decontaminate sensitive equipment exposed to CBRN fallout, allowing it to be returned to the field and the fight as soon as possible. The small variant CEDS is pictured here. (Photo by Lindsay Longobardi, JPM CBRN SOF)
For example, a warfighter is operating in a CBRN environment and encounters a suspected agent; the warfighter completes the mission and conducts a recovery effort by placing critical equipment into the CEDS for decontamination. Once decon- taminated, the critical equipment can be reissued for use without any additional requirements or risks to force readiness.
Te CEDS is currently an Acquisition Category III program, which began prototyping efforts in fiscal year 2022. Te Joint Project Manager for CBRN Special Operations (JPM CBRN SOF), JPEO-CBRND, leads the CEDS program. Two CEDS variants are in development—one large and one small. Te small variant is being developed by Integrated Solutions for Systems Inc. in Huntsville, Alabama, and the large capability by HDT Expeditionary Systems Inc. in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
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Te team looked at several agents and challenge levels, with and without pretreatments, to observe how CEDS performed in the environment. Before testing in the Czech Republic, the team worked with its partners to conduct preliminary laboratory testing stateside, including new equipment training and evalu- ations with SOF users. Once that was done, the team shipped the system overseas to begin the field tests. Results are currently being evaluated and will be implemented into the operational test event for the small variant, which is planned for the first quar- ter of fiscal year 2025, while testing for the large variant at the VVU will begin in the second quarter.
“Te biggest advantage of testing in the Czech Republic is that in the U.S. we have limited facilities for open-air testing. Te Czech Republic has a process where they can set up a site, execute and decontaminate the site and prepare for the next test, which allows us to move quickly and gain quality data,” said Laurel O’Connor, CEDS test engineer, U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Develop- ment Command (DEVCOM) Soldier Center. “It’s also another great opportunity to leverage our international partners to help get data faster to stay on schedule.”
Te ability to quickly prepare, conduct testing, analyze results and implement changes for the next test is of special importance to the SOCOM community. Teir programs run on a shorter
Army AL&T Magazine Winter 2025
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