Naval Surface Warfare Center Dahlgren Division
Surface Warfare Center Division
Dry Filter Unit (DFU)
Overview
Agenda
Surface Warfare Center Division

BW Agents and Threat

DFU Overview

HHA/DoD Biological Sampling Kit Overview

DFU Detection and Reliability

CONOPS

Issues

Summary
Biological Weapon Agents
Surface Warfare Center Division
Biological Agent Weaponization
Surface Warfare Center Division
BW Agents: Bacteria, Rickettsia, Viruses
Surface Warfare Center Division
BW Agents: Toxins
Surface Warfare Center Division
Biological Warfare Threat
Surface Warfare Center Division

Most Efficient and Likely Means of Delivering a BW
Agent to Target Is in Form of an Aerosol

Aerosols Can Be Delivered on Target Without Any
Indication of Their Presence

Enemy Is Unlikely to Send Warning Prior to Delivery

Aerosol Sampling/Collection and Identification Is the
Only Means of Determining the Presence of an
Aerosol
Dry Filter Unit
Surface Warfare Center Division

Biological Air Sampler

Collect and Concentrate Biological Particulates From Ambient Air

Ambient Air Drawn Through 1 Micron Polyester Felt Filter at the Rate of
~ 1000 Liters/min Via Electrical Blower

Human Breathing Rate ~ 15 Liters/min ( DFU “Breathes” ~ 67 X More
Particles)

Recommend Collection Time: 1-12 Hours

Filter Placed Into Buffer Solution, Shaken to Extract Particles, and
Analyzed Using HHA for Presumptive Identification of BW Agents

Detection Sensitivity of DFU/HHA System: 20-35 ACPLA Minutes

ACPLA = Agent-Containing-Particle-Per-Liter-Air

Well Characterized for Anthrax and Bg (Simulant)

Additional Testing Being Conducted for Other Agents
DFU Functional Diagram
Surface Warfare Center Division
Filter (Concentrates Particles)
Airborne Particles
Intake
Exhaust
Flow (Q)= Velocity (V) x Area (A)
Flow= 1000 liters/min (28 cfm)
DFU Filter Extraction
Surface Warfare Center Division
Filter
Buffer Solution
Filter in
Buffer
Solution
Filter and Particles
in Buffer Solution
After “Quick Shake” Extraction
DFU Operational Concept
Surface Warfare Center Division
Suspect Agent
1-12 hours
Collect
2 min
Sample Prep
15 min
Presumptive
Identification
HHA
DFU 1000
Filter Disk and
Accessories
Confirmatory
Sample
4-5 ml
sample
DFU Specifications
Surface Warfare Center Division
FEATURES
BENEFITS
High Volume Sampling @ 1000
L/min with 1-micron Polyester Felt
Filter
Effective Collection of Low
Concentration Aerosol Conditions
Portable, Self Contained Unit
One-Person Portable Carrying Case
Collects Bio-Particulates from
Ambient Air
Effectively Captures 1 Micron and
Larger Particles
Size- 15” (H) x 13” (W) x 13” (D)
Compatible with Standard Bio
Analytical Techniques (e.g. HHAs,
ELISA, PCR, etc.)
Weight- 42 Lbs. (with 10’ Cord & Air
Silencer)
Everything Needed for Sampling is
On-Board
Simple to Operate
Minimal Training (15 Minutes) &
Maintenance Required
Successfully Tested at Edgewood,
MD and the ABT Facility in
Columbus, OH
Rated for Continuous Duty (40,000
hour life) and Completely Weather
Tight
5.6 Amps @ 120 VAC (23 Amps
Startup) 120 VAC Power
Common Power Source
DFU 1000
Surface Warfare Center Division
DFU 1000 Components
Surface Warfare Center Division
Inlet Stack
Filter Assembly
Lid
Filter
Latch
Casing
Warning Labels
Air Outlet
Power Connection
Power Connection Cover
Exhaust Hose
DFU Kit
Surface Warfare Center Division
Hand Held Assay (HHA)
Surface Warfare Center Division

Provides Presumptive ID of BW Agents in Suspect Samples

Same Format as Home Pregnancy Test

Simple Operation, Inexpensive, Single Use

Results in 15 Minutes

Reliable

Rigorous QA/QC Testing

Low False Positive Rate
Panel of 8 HHAs

Presumptive ID Component in Currently Fielded and
Developmental Joint BW Detection Systems (Portal Shield,
JBPDS, DoD Biological Detection System, DFU)

Shelf Life: 2 Years at Refrigerated Temperatures (4°C)

Do Not Freeze
DoD Biological Sampling Kit
Surface Warfare Center Division
 Presumptive ID of BW Agents:
 Contamination Detection After a BW Attack
 Quick Screen of Suspect Packages/Samples (Analogous to M8
Paper)
 Contents
 Panel of 8 HHAs (10 Available)
 Conical Tube Containing:
• Bottle of Buffer Solution
• Sterile Cotton Swabs
 Basic Instructions
 Cost: $52
 Good Shelf Life
 One-Time Use Only
 Training Kits and Interactive Training CD-ROM Available
DOD
Biological Sampling
Kit
Training CD-ROM
Never Used as the Sole Basis for Agent Identification
Not for Diagnostic Use
Used by Capitol Police to Positively Identify Senator Daschle Letter!
Biological Detection CONOPS
Surface Warfare Center Division

Threat and Risk Assessment

Sampling Location(s)

Sampling Frequency

Collection Time

Sample Preparation

Presumptive Identification (HHA)

Information Management/Decision Authority

Confirmatory Sample Transportation/Testing (PCR)
Operational Modes
Threat and Risk Assessment
Surface Warfare Center Division

Geographical Location

Intelligence

Force Protection Condition

Weather Conditions

Threat Identification (Specifics)

Delivery Mechanisms

Ship Vulnerabilities

Credible Risk Scenarios

Countermeasures
DFU CONOPS
Surface Warfare Center Division

The DFU/HHA System Will Be Employed in Order to Provide Biological
Sampling and Presumptive Identification Capability

Can Provide “Detect to Treat” Capability

Operational Concept Will Depend On:


Geographical Location

Threat Condition

Vulnerability

Contamination Avoidance Phase (Pre, Initial, Post Involvement)

Weather Conditions

Commander Discretion
Operational Locations :

Base Camp
DFU Operations
Surface Warfare Center Division



External Sampling

Dry Filter Units should be placed in locations where there will
be a high concentration of agents in the event of an attack

Easy access for retrieving filters for analysis

1-12 hour collection time/analysis cycle
Internal Sampling

Dry Filter Units should be placed in vicinity under suspicion

Compartments receiving outside supplies

Mission critical spaces

1-12 hour collection time/analysis cycle
Sampling Frequency/Collection Time

I, II, III, IV Operational Modes
DFU Operational Modes
Surface Warfare Center Division

Guidelines for Sampling Frequency and Collection
Times

I – Area of Known or Suspected Biological Threat
0000

1200
II - Area of Known or Possible Biological Threat
0000

0600
1200
1800
2400
III - Biological Attack Probable
0000

2400
0400
0800
1200
1600
2000
2400
IV - Biological Attack Imminent/Post Attack/Decon
0000
0600
1200
1800
2400
DFU 1000 Operating Procedures
Surface Warfare Center Division

Setup/Installation

Filter Preparation

Collection

Retrieve Filters

Sample Preparation

Presumptive Identification Testing (HHAs)

DFU 1000 Operators Manual
DFU Issues
Surface Warfare Center Division



SEC

How many DFUs?

Where to install them?

Sampling Schedule?
Logistics

Storage of HHAs (Refrigeration) and DFU Kits

Personnel

Training
Decon of Equipment
Summary
Surface Warfare Center Division

BW Threat to US Forces is Real

DFUs/HHAs (Coupled with Confirmatory Analysis) Offer
Best Available BW Detection Capability

Inexpensive

Easy to Use

Reliable

Available Immediately – Units Fielded and in Production