Inherent M I Decon Capabilities

Among many of the critical considerations for success on the mechanized battlefield is NBC decontamination. These considerations and concerns in the NBC area are based on our own limited combat assets, limited NBC decontamination assets, and the well-developed NBC doctrine of the Warsaw Pact nations which possess NBC equipment in great quantities. For example, on a 1983 CAMMS, division-level computer simulation conducted within the 3d Infantry Division, NBC decontamination became a concern for commanders at all levels. The Army of Excellence (AOE) Heavy Division organization currently has a decontamination company at division level. The squads of this unit are habitually sent out to provide support to a brigade. This squad has limited capabilities, and within a brigade sector a typical decontamination site quickly becomes overcrowded with units attempting decontamination. As a result of the “traffic jam” at a typical site, an armor or mecha nized platoon could expect to spend 6-12 hours in waiting and execution of a complete decontamination. The large volume of units conducting decontamination will also present unique logistical and resupply problems for the chemical units themselves. Ideally, using the. Ml2 decon apparatus, a decontamination squad can decontaminate four vehicles and associated personnel in one hour. For larger volume, the rormuia is --total numoer or veni-cles divided by four plus one hour.” The SANATOR apparatus, with its 30-50 personnel-per-hour capacity is entering the supply system and will enhance our capabilities. Again, however, from computer simulations and even ARTEP scenarios, we regularly find that decontamination is a slow process which can keep combat power out of the fight. inis article aescnoes some uniz initiatives which can be applied at platoon and company level to enhance decon capabilities. Some innovations which have already been successful at company level will be illustrated, and other devices for future construction will be discussed. These center on the M1 tank’s potential and capabilities as a major decontamination apparatus. These capabilities involve in- e FIGURE 1. Russians have long used truck-mounted jet engines to decontaminate tanks, car-washstyle. ARMOR: The Magazine of Mobile Warfare 19

U 1 h r, FIGURE 3. Closeup shows how Cannon Device is mounted on M1 grille. FIGURE 4. 55-gallon drum mounted on tank deck feeds decon solution to smoke generator. - "The M I tank does give a unit some of its own organic decon capabilities..... I FIGURE 5. Drum-based scrubdevice is I attached by hose to brush assembly. herent characteristics of the tank, such as turbine-engine-produced heat and thrust, as well as the engine smoke generator system. The Soviets already have a successful turbine decon system in the TMS65. It is a truck-mounted jet engine which introduces a decontamination solution into the high temperature exhaust and thrust of the turbine. (See Figure 1). A fog results, which decontaminates 20- 30 vehicles per hour using a carwash technique. Two inventions created within the 2d Battalion, 64th Armor, 3d Infantry Division, have genuine General Defense Plan applications and work on the same principle as the TMS65. The Cannon Decon Apparatus (see Figure 2) was invented by First Sergeant George N. Cannon, formerly of this unit and currently assigned to the 24th Infantry Division. It is a flexible, large di-' ameter maintenance shop exhaust pipe which has been affixed to the rear grille of the M1 (see Figure 3). The M1 produces approximately 950 demees Fat the rear of the vehicle. When the engine is placed in tactical idle, the RPMs increase and the temperature increases up to approximately 1350 degrees F. The Cannon device allows this extreme heat to be directed at any part of a contaminated vehicle, to include the turret and the top of the turret. It was successful in destroying persistent type chemicals in tests conducted at unit level. Another device, invented by the author, uses a fluid solution. A 55- gallon drum assembly with pump and feeder system was hooked directly into the disconnected smoke generator system. A decontamination solution was then pumped from the drum into the splatter plate of the Ml's smoke generator system in place of the diesel which ordinarily creates the tank's screening smoke (see Figure 4). This technique has some drawbacks and is still being developed. DS2 cannot be used as a decon solution, due to its explosive nature. A solution with an STB consistency produced a small smoke cloud for potential carwash style decontamination. 20 ARMOR The Magazine of Mobile Warfare

B There is a potential flashpoint problem with actual STB, however, and a hybrid system is being worked out which combines this system with the Cannon system. The weakness of the Cannon system is the small concentrated area limitations of the device. Introducing the fluid several feet from the rear grille of the tank into the flexible tube of the Cannon system may produce a more desirable effect. While this technique is still on the drawing board, the 55-gallon drum apparatus can be used as an effective scrub device. The device is the same as the one mounted on the rear deck of the tank, except that a brush assembly and lengthened hose are added where the hose ordinarily couples into the smoke generator system (see Figure 5). The same small tank fuel pump powers the unit. There is a grounding wire and a power wire which can be hooked to tank or truck batteries. A working unit SOP for platoon-level decontamination has been developed in the author’s unit which uses the brush and drum assembly along with the Ml’s turbine. It has been field tested. Using a unit OPTERM, the platoon leader requests decontamination assistance. The company trains are notified, and the first sergeant sends the supply truck, with the NBC NCO and decon apparatus, forward to the platoon’s location or an LRP. The platoon’s personnel (2 per tank) dismount through turret hatches using their basic load M l l s to decon the turret top and front slope as they dismount. One tank at a time is pulled up to the supply truck, as in a filling station operation. The 55-gallon drum with pump and scrubber is then used to provide a thorough turret decon. The tanks then move into a carwash configuration (see Figure 6). Set at approximately 45-degree angles, one section, in tactical idle, provides intense heat as the other section moves slowly through. The section moving through first then leap-frogs forward and sets up for the other section. Thus, an effective decon of the turret ring and below is / YA \ 6 3 FIGURE 6. Schematic shows arrangement of a ”car-wash” style decontamination setup. One section’s engines provide heat while the other section moves through. achieved which, coupled with the turret scrub gives a good hasty, if not complete, decontamination. A well-drilled platoon completes this cycle in MOPP IV in less than one hour, and there is solution left over. We also must remember that, as in all decon operations, the vehicles must be prepared for decontamination. For example, before subjectc ing the outside of the tank to the extremely high temperatures of the Ml’s exhaust, crews should ensure that they remove all flammable equipment (TA-50, etc.). Additionally, if a unit plans to use the M1 exhaust as a decon technique, the unit may want to reexamine external load plans to ensure that equipment easily damaged by high temperatures is repositioned. The M1 tank does give a unit some of its own organic decon capabilities which will supplement major NBC decon devices. As we await further development and procurement of state-of-the-art equipment, especially under the future “S” TOE, we must continue to develop these fieldexpedient techniques.

TIER wascommissionedasa Distinguished Military Graduate from Syracuse University in 1977. His staff experience in CONUS AND USAREUR includes assignments as an S3, S4 and two assignments as an S1. He has served as a tank platoon leader as well as on the M-1 Full Scale Engineering and Development test. An AOAC graduate, he currently commands D Company, 2-64 Armor in the FRG. He is a past contributor to Armor Magazine. ARMOR The Magazine of Mobile Warfare 21