Battelle’s Common Analytical Laboratory System (CALS) Reaches Major Milestone with Successful Training Event at the Aberdeen Test Center

ABERDEEN, Md.--()--Battelle is bringing its expertise to bear in a project that is one step closer to helping protect people during incidents of chemical and biological threats.

The Common Analytical Laboratory System (CALS) is being developed to meet the needs of the Department of Defense’s military branches. Currently, all branches have different equipment, analytical protocols and training regimens when responding to threat incidences involving chemical, biological or radiological threats.

CALS is essentially three variants of mobile laboratories that provide on-site analytical capabilities to any incident location and do so in a standardized way that helps increase operational efficiency and reduce costs. The latest variant under test is based on the Battelle CALS design and modified as an update for the existing Analytical Laboratory Systems.

In January, these units, designed by Battelle and delivered to the government in 2018, were set up at the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) in Aberdeen, MD for a three-week training event that was the first-time end-users obtained detailed, hands-on experience with the new system. The next step will be a government-led Battelle-supported field test to evaluate operational suitability with the military members who will use the system.

“We are proud to reach this important milestone alongside the Joint Product Manager CBRNE Analytics and Response Systems team,” said Rodney Black, deputy program manager for the project. “It’s a fairly complex challenge to meet the individual mission needs of the end-users for each of the CALS variants. But, we were able to bring our long and deep history of using technology to solve complex challenges involving chemical and biological threats.”

Part of the challenge also included integrating laboratory analytical equipment into a mobile, truck-mounted laboratory safely and reliably while balancing different aspects of utility, space and weight.

Battelle is about to complete the fourth year of the $34.8 million contract which is for the Joint Product Manager CBRNE Analytics and Response Systems.

About Battelle

Every day, the people of Battelle apply science and technology to solving what matters most. At major technology centers and national laboratories around the world, Battelle conducts research and development, designs and manufactures products, and delivers critical services for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio since its founding in 1929, Battelle serves the national security, health and life sciences, and energy and environmental industries. For more information, visit www.battelle.org.

For more information contact Katy Delaney at (614) 424-7208 or at delaneyk@battelle.org or contact T.R. Massey at (614) 424-5544 or at masseytr@battelle.org.

Contacts

Katy Delaney
(614) 424-7208
delaneyk@battelle.org

T.R. Massey
(614) 424-5544
masseytr@battelle.org

Contacts

Katy Delaney
(614) 424-7208
delaneyk@battelle.org

T.R. Massey
(614) 424-5544
masseytr@battelle.org