ScanEagle to Detect Biological Agents

ScanEagle BCAS(click for alternate view) Boeing Phantom Works and a team of U.S. bio-defense companies have been given a two-year $8.2 million Phase I contract to modify the Boeing/Insitu ScanEagle unmanned air vehicle (UAV) to look for biological warfare agents as part of a program funded by the USA’s Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA). Under the Biological Combat Assessment System (BCAS) Advanced Technology Demonstration (ATD) program, the DTRA and the Boeing-led team will work with U.S. Pacific Command and the U.S. Navy Third Fleet to design and develop a remote sensor system that can assess battle damage and collateral effects, and also locate, track, collect and detect simulated biological warfare agents in a designated area. The team will integrate the sensor system into the Boeing-Insitu ScanEagle UAV and then will demonstrate the system’s capabilities in flight tests. Successful flight tests will lead to a possible Phase 2 follow-on contract and limited production options with the DTRA worth approximately $15 million. This is the first time Boeing has served as a lead systems integrator on a program directed solely toward chemical and biological defense, so they’re drawing on scientists and engineers from across the company and industry. Industry team members include […]