Public security

New Laboratory Increases Detector Testing Range from Centimeters to Meters

The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) has built a CASTLE to address the increasing demand for enhanced surface chemical, biological and other threat detection for the U.S. armed forces and first responders.

CASTLE, which stands for CBRNE Assessment, Science and Technology Lab at ECBC, is the Center’s newest laboratory designed for long-distance surface detection in a surety setting. Most laboratories that deal with chemical and biological testing can test detectors from maximum distances of just a few inches away. In the CASTLE, ECBC researchers can support the testing and development of equipment that can detect chemical and biological agents at distances up to 24 meters in a safe surety facility. This new capability will provide better detection and assessment equipment before it goes into the hands of warfighters, ensuring that the equipment is reliable and has a better chance of saving lives.