20 Years of Innovation and Trusted Detection: From DD-CWA to Falcon 4G

During the winter of 2002, the Slovak Armed Forces began preparing the CBRN company to be deployed with the Czech CRBN battalion in the Enduring Freedom operation in Kuwait.

By February 2003, the 1st Czech and Slovak CRBN Battalion had achieved full readiness to conduct all CBRN operations, including reconnaissance, decontamination, SIBCRA missions, etc.

The area of responsibility was extensive, covering the entirety of Iraq and Kuwait. The mission was clear: to protect all coalition forces against any CBRN threats that could arise from attacks with WMDs. Within the CBRN reconnaissance company, the Slovak Armed Forces deployed, for the first time in their history, a stand-off chemical detection squad equipped with the DD-CWA detector (distance detector of CWA).

Back to the Beginning

The stand-off detector of CWA (DD-CWA) was developed by the Military Technological Institute in Liptovsky Mikulá? (SVK) under the code name "MONITORING". The hard work of the entire development team, led by Mr. Jiri Vicenik and Mr. Zdenek Monik, was completed at the beginning of 2002. After successfully completing a number of complex military validation tests under the supervision of Col. Ladislav Belicky (future OPCW Inspector & Team Leader), it was decided to deploy DD-CWA in Operation Enduring Freedom in Kuwait within the Slovak CBRN unit structure.

Prior to deployment, the team leader of stand-off detection, Lt. Col. Pavel Truchly (during operation 1st Lt.), along with the analyst Lt. Col. (during operation Lt.) Robert Hromada, participated in intensive training for this new detector and its perspective method of CWA detection.

DD-CWA: Pioneering Stand-off Detection Technology in Kuwait

The unique technology implemented in the first active stand-off detector, DD-CWA, attracted attention from its first days of deployment. The 1st Czech and Slovak CBRN Battalion was a key asset of the coalition forces in dealing with CBRN threats. The first version of DD-CWA had the capability to detect and primarily identify sarin, soman, tabun, sulphur mustard, VX, model substances ammonia, and methanol. The detection distance was approximately 3000 m. Therefore, part of the battalion's mission included capability presentations and demonstrations.

Operation of the DD-CWA was possible via a small LCD display, with results also displayed on this tiny screen. The weight of the detector was almost 45 kg.

Seizing Opportunity: Implementing Upgrades in Kuwait

In a truly challenging environment, utterly different from Slovakia, there arose the opportunity to continue with the development and conduct additional tests. Mr. Jiri Vicenik and Mr. Zdenek Monik seized this possibility and travelled to Kuwait for one week. During this intensive week of work, they implemented several upgrades and software updates.

Expanding Detection Capabilities: DD-CWA Integration in Slovak CBRN Units

Based on the positive experience from Operation Enduring Freedom, the Slovak Armed Forces equipped their own CBRN units with the DD-CWA on tripod and integrated it onto the CBRN Reconnaissance vehicle Aligator CBRN 4x4 as well.

Falcon 4G – the proud successor of DD-CWA

Since the recent delivery of the new generation stand-off detector Falcon 4G to the Armed Forces of Slovakia, it's evident that active stand-off detection has firmly established its place within CBRN reconnaissance.

Drawing from the past 20 years, we proudly assert that Falcon 4G represents a completely new device equipped with superior electronics and higher-quality optical parts, while remaining rooted in proven technology and measurement principles. The measurement distance exceeds 5 km, with the weight reduced to 29 kg. The detector can now be mounted on reconnaissance vehicles, drones, helicopters, and vessels alike. The small, tiny display has been replaced by a powerful rugged notebook. These innovations have rapidly advanced the detection capabilities of the Falcon 4G.