Test and Evaluation of Biological Standoff Detection Systems. Abbreviated Version

摘要

A biological warfare agent (BWA) is a microorganism (or a toxin derived from a living organism) that causes disease in humans, plants, or animals or that causes the deterioration of material. The effectiveness of a BWA is greatly reduced if the attack is detected in time for the target population to take appropriate defensive measures. Therefore, the ability to detect a BWA, in particular to detect it before the target population is exposed, will be a valuable asset to defense against biological attacks. The ideal detection system will have quick response (detection on the order of seconds) and be able to detect a threat plume at a distance (on the order of kilometers) from the target population. The development of reliable biological standoff detection systemsstandoff detection refers to detection at a distance from the aerosol or plume or detector therefore is a key goal. Detection of biological agents is complex. This report focuses on one aspect of the biological defense problem: How can we test whether a biological standoff detection system fulfills its mission reliably if we cannot conduct open-air field tests with live BWAs.