Chemical and biological weapons: Current concepts for future defenses

In the post-9/11 era, the asymmetric threats posed by terrorists or rogue states have created new challenges for the enhanced and efficient defense of the nation. For defense against chemical and biological weapons (CBW), integrated, multitiered, and "netcentric" systems are envisioned that will enable the rapid and cost-effective detection, confirmation, and response to a CBW attack. Realization of this vision requires advances in the science and technology of chemical and biological sensor systems and multisource information fusion. Our evolving counter-CBW capability has broader benefits to society, where, for example, new tools will become available to manage outbreaks of emerging natural infectious diseases or industrial accidents. Here we highlight several key technologies and the challenges pursued in support of this vision.