Sensitive military equipment exposed to chemical or biological warfare agents could be cleaned and returned to service using a transportable system currently being developed for U.S. special forces.
Ohio-based defense contractor BLADE, formerly HDT Global, announced Oct. 26 that it has been awarded a contract to advance the large-scale variant of the Critical Equipment Decontamination System (CEDS).
Designed for use in austere and contested locations, the system is designed to help operators recover valuable equipment without returning it to a depot or replacing it.
The company did not disclose the contract value, term or number of systems covered. It also didn’t specify whether the award advances the program toward production.
Two versions for sensitive devices
CEDS aims to decontaminate high-value, low-density equipment, allowing troops to reuse items that might otherwise need to be discarded.
Equipment processed through the system is intended to be safe enough to be reissued without requiring operators to wear additional protective equipment.
The program includes two configurations. The small version is an inflatable, soft-walled shelter developed by Integrated Solutions for Systems in Huntsville, Alabama.
The large version resembles a medium-sized metal container. According to the US Army, it was developed by the former HDT Expeditionary Systems unit in Fredericksburg, Virginia.
Both configurations address the challenge of recovering sensitive equipment after contamination. According to BLADE, the large system is intended to reduce the logistical burden of replacing equipment and return mission-critical equipment to operators more quickly.
Real warfare agents are used in tests
Prototype development began in fiscal year 2022. The tests exposed real devices at the Czech Military Research Institute, known as VVU, to real chemical and biological agents rather than relying on simulants.
The operational testing of the small variant in the facility was completed in December 2024. The major variant was expected to follow in 2025, although BLADE’s recent announcement did not include an update on these tests.
Previous program plans called for delivery of the first systems to U.S. Special Operations Command units in fiscal year 2027. The newly announced contract did not confirm whether this operational target remains unchanged.
The program is managed by the Joint Project Manager for CBRN Special Operations Forces under the Pentagon’s Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense Portfolio Management Executive.
Reclaiming equipment closer to operators
“Through the CEDS program, we continue to develop critical decontamination capabilities that enable special operations forces to recover critical equipment, sustain operations and maintain their advantage in contested environments,” said Tim Stickler, senior director of integrated CBRN protection and biological and chemical security at BLADE.
“We are proud to support this mission and provide the reliable solutions our fighters depend on,” he added.
Special operations forces also receive a separate capability, the Forward Area Mobility Spray System, to wash down contaminated vehicles and equipment in the field.
This system includes backpack and vehicle-mounted versions. Its portable version reached full operational capability in May 2025, almost three years ahead of schedule.
All three spray system variants are expected to be in use by fiscal year 2028, while the recent CEDS award supports further development of its larger equipment decontamination configuration.
