The Field Deployable Hydrolysis System (FDHS) is a transportable, high throughput neutralization system developed by the U.S. Army for converting chemical warfare material into compounds not usable as weapons. [1]
Neutralization is facilitated through chemical reactions involving reagents that are mixed and heated to increase destruction efficiency, which is rated at 99.9 percent. [1]
The transportable FDHS is a self-contained system that includes power generators and a laboratory. Operational inputs include consumable materials such as water, reagents and fuel. It is designed to be set up within 10 days and is equipped with redundant critical systems. [1] An on-site crew of 15 trained personnel, including SME support, is needed for each shift of a possible 24-hour operational cycle. [1]
A 20-week design and development phase was funded by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency in February 2013. The effort to develop a functional prototype was led by subject-matter experts from the Edgewood Chemical Biological Center (ECBC) in partnership with the United States Army Chemical Materials Agency. [1] An operational model was developed over the course of six months, with the participation of 50 ECBC employees. [1]
Two of these units were deployed on the MV Cape Ray (T-AKR-9679) for use in the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons. [2] They are the "centerpiece" of the disarmament effort. [3] The United Kingdom gave the United States £2.5 million of specialist equipment and training to enable the highest-priority chemicals to be processed more quickly. [4] [5]