DTRA News
Latest DTRA News Below ↓
News
6 people in front of the Nunn Perry Award sign

DTRA’s First Mentor-Protégé Partnership Secures Prestigious Nunn-Perry Award

News
Participants in front of helicopter

DTRA Leverages R&D Expertise to Support Joint Task Force-Southern Border Mission

News
Military Personnel using testing kits in full mopp suits

Bridging the gap between lab, field: Building the future of CBRN defense at SCOUT 26

News
Ms. Laura Gross, DTRA’s Director of Global Threat Directorate, Mr. Ian Watson, Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Defense (DASW/CBRND) and Dr. Greg Koblentz Director of the Biodefense Graduate Program at George Mason University's Schar School of Policy and Government.

DTRA, NDU Host High-Stakes Rollout of New Biological Weapons Deterrence Framework

More
Play Play

SCOUT26 executed a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) micro-experiment

  • Defense Threat Reduction Agency
  • March 23, 2026 | 0:48

Distribution Statement A. Approved for public Release

SCOUT26 executed a Laboratory Developed Test (LDT) micro-experiment-advancing our ability to detect emerging biothreats in expeditionary environments. This focused effort evaluated the feasibility of producing on-demand diagnostic assays using forward-deployed DNA/RNA synthesizers, enabling rapid response to novel and previously unknown pathogens. “This training is critical to mission success,” noted an exercise observer. “Current diagnostics rely on known pathogen profiles-leaving us vulnerable to new threats. This capability helps close that gap.” The experiment brought together a specialized team from Naval Research Laboratory, Biological Defense Research and Development, and Forward-Deployed Preventive Medicine Unit-demonstrating the power of integrated science and operational collaboration.