DEVCOM and the Deployable Microsensors

The U.S. Army is exploring a new generation of deployable chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) microsensors designed to revolutionize battlefield awareness and protection. These tiny, lightweight devices—small enough to be tossed by hand or deployed from drones—are part of a bold push to enhance remote sensing capabilities while reducing the burden on frontline troops.

Developed by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) Chemical Biological Center (CBC) in collaboration with the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), these microsensors represent a strategic shift toward low-cost, low-power, and potentially disposable detection systems. The aim is to create a networked, modular family of sensors that can be quickly deployed across large areas, enabling “place-and-forget” monitoring of hazardous threats.

At the heart of the project is the WILE‑E 3.0 initiative—a rapid prototyping effort driven by warfighter feedback and design thinking principles. Engineers and scientists developed a concept centered on five modular components: sensing, communication, processing, power, and deployment. The result was a compact “puck”-shaped device that could be either hand-deployed or dropped from an unmanned aerial vehicle. These prototypes were brought to life using 3D printing and were tested in operational scenarios at Aberdeen Proving Ground in late 2022.

This modularity is crucial. It means that different payloads can be swapped in and out depending on the mission—whether it’s detecting a chemical vapor, mapping radiation, or monitoring biological threats. The architecture also allows for communication with other battlefield systems, contributing to a broader sensor network that provides commanders with real-time situational awareness.

To ensure these innovations move beyond the lab and into the field, DTRA established the Deployable Microsensor Pipeline. This initiative brings together government, industry, and academic partners to scout new technologies, standardize sensor designs, and conduct rigorous testing. The goal is to create an ecosystem of interoperable microsensors that share data seamlessly, are easy to upgrade, and can be deployed in complex, multi-domain operations—land, sea, and air.

Ultimately, these microsensors could dramatically reduce the need for warfighters to carry bulky, individual protective equipment while significantly expanding their ability to detect and respond to threats. By combining modular design with ease of deployment and networked communication, the Army is building a smarter, more responsive approach to CBRN defense—one that empowers soldiers while keeping them out of harm’s way.

You can read more about this work here https://www.army.mil/article/287324/deployable_microsensors