M8A1 CHEMICAL AGENT ALARM

File: 971208_sep96_decls12_0001.txt
Page: 0001
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Subject = M8A1 CHEMICAL AGENT ALARM                                       

Box ID = BX001610

Folder Title = LESSONS LEARNED                                                                                 

Unit = 101ST ID    

Parent Org = XVIII CORPS 








                                    CHEMICAL
                                 LESSONS LEART)ED
                             LIPERAI'ION DF-SER'T S141ELD



       ISI,iiJE: MBAI Chemical f)qent Alarm.

       @,i@UbLEMS ENCUUNI'ERED,. The MBAI has been noted to qive off false
       alarms. It only detects one chemical a(3ent (nerve). There are also
       problems with maintenance and handling of detL-cte3r cells.

       ulbLUSSION: Overall performance of the MBAI Chemical Alarm is
       t.itizati sf -ictory.

         Many false alarms Occur while operating the alarm.   False alarms
       are caused by e>,tiaL(st ft-(mes, dust, petroleum products and low
       battery povier.

       - the MSAI has a radioactive Source which requires special hanll-
       linq. Detector cells are not easily replaced and the wait time for
       replacement is L-Ycessive.

       - the Liltra-fine talc-lile sand particles experienced in the area
       of oper,@itionc- tended to have an %dverse effect on the MBA Alarm
       plirclir)q operations.

       - Ihe MBAI takes -A special battery - a 24 /olt BAT,517/U - in which
       no other- equipment can use. The battery has a life of less than 5
       days or 10-12 hour missions.

       - ]he MBAI is very limited in detection - it only detects nerve
       aqent.

       El'- LCJMMENI)@-I f I O@l: Replace the MBAI with the new agent detector ICAD
       (individual E;heinical Aaent Detector). Also. replace with the XM21
       Nefnote C@iL-ii)ic-ztl AqL-nt Alarm.



                                              BILI-Y R. DHEEL, SFC, DIV CHEM