US CPE CBRND equips forces with approved advanced anticonvulsant system
The United States' Department of Defense's Joint Project Manager for CBRN Medical - itself a component of the Capability Program Executive for CBRN Defense - has announced that it has equipped the Joint Force with a critical defence against nerve agent attacks.
In an article published on DVIDS, they announced that in March 2026, the team officially achieved full operational capability for the US Food and Drug Administration-approved "Advanced Anticonvulsant System" (AAS), completing the successful fielding of the "critical" medical countermeasure.
"The AAS is a single-use intramuscular autoinjector that delivers midazolam; this is an advanced formulation over the previously fielded Convulsive Antidote Nerve Agent autoinjector which contained diazepam," it was reported in the article on DVIDS. "Because midazolam is significantly more water-soluble, it takes effect faster, terminating nerve agent-induced seizures more rapidly. While the AAS does not eliminate the need for other protective and therapeutic systems, the product’s rapid response time directly improves survivability outcomes and enhances the overall protection of the Joint Force in CBRN contested environments."
Full operational capability represents the point at which system development is complete, all designated units have received the product and the product is fully delivered, operated and maintained by its intended users. Achieving full operational capability also means that the full weight of a new technology is officially standardised and ready to protect the Joint Force at scale.
It was said that achieving the milestone was "notable" given the complex logistical, regulatory and licensing hurdles and constraints. The programme had reached 79 percent completion by late 2025, but the active conflict in Israel - where the manufacturer Rafa Laboratories, Ltd is located - made transport of the final units difficult.
Nevertheless, the final milestone was officially recorded on 25 March, 2026, when the Defense Logistics Agency accepted the last increment of autoinjectors, successfully completing the full operational capability requirement.
