Wiley Handbook of Science and Technology for Homeland Security, 4 Volume Set

DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS IN DEVELOPMENT AND APPLICATION OF CHEMICAL AND BIOLOGICAL AGENT DETECTORS

DONNA C. SHANDLE

Nuclear, Chemical, and Biological Contamination Avoidance, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland

1 BACKGROUND

This study will address the differences and similarities in requirements that drive design features and product development of a handheld chemical vapor detector and a man-portable, vehicle-mounted standoff chemical detector for use by the uniformed services, and what changes or additional design/test work is required to ensure that the systems meet the needs of a Homeland Security application. It is apparent that the missions of the uniformed services likely differ in some respects from those of Homeland Security. However, the application of many systems developed for the services to that of Homeland Security involves minor, if any, adjustments resulting in significant capability for this governmental department. The issues to be answered relate to where and how the systems would be employed. Once these questions are addressed, immediate progress toward providing capability can occur.

1.1 How Requirements are Derived

It is worth noting that the Department of Defense follows a disciplined requirements development process coupled with standard systems engineering processes. From the definition of the customer’s use concept, a developer derives performance specifications. Categories and related questions to be answered include, but are not limited to the following: ...