From 2–3 September 2026, NCT USA returned to Aberdeen Proving Ground – Edgewood, Maryland, bringing together a uniquely powerful mix of military leaders, federal agencies, first responders, scientists, and industry partners. Hosted in close cooperation with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center (DEVCOM CBC) and the wider CBRN defense community, NCT USA 2026 showcased how cross-sector collaboration is driving real progress in chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosives (CBRNE) preparedness and response.
Over two intensive days, participants explored future strategies for CBRN emergency response, advances in decontamination and mass protection, innovative approaches to medical countermeasures, and emerging capabilities in robotics, unmanned systems, AI, and radiological/nuclear (R/N) threat readiness. The result was a dynamic event that not only reflected today’s complex threat environment but also highlighted concrete solutions being developed across government, academia, and industry.
Setting the Stage: Opening Plenary and Strategic Vision
The conference opened with welcoming remarks from NCT’s leadership, including Ms. Anna Paternnosto and Mr. Ilja Bonsen, alongside senior representatives from DEVCOM CBC and NCT USA Chairman BG (Ret.) William King. Their message set the tone: CBRNE threats are evolving, and addressing them requires an integrated, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach.
The opening plenary brought together senior voices from across the U.S. CBRN enterprise. Ms. Mary Hubbard, Chief of the Advanced Capabilities & Transformation Office at DEVCOM, framed the broader science and technology landscape, emphasizing DEVCOM’s role as the Army’s organic S&T engine and its mission to “empower the future Army” through cutting-edge research, technology development, and lifecycle engineering. She outlined how DEVCOM’s centers, from aviation and missiles to chemical biological defense, are aligning to support multi-domain operations and contested logistics, where CBRN resilience is central to readiness.
Mr. Wyatt Ulrich, Deputy Capability Program Executive for CBRN Defense (CPE CBRND), and Dr. James Watson, Director of Engineering at DEVCOM CBC, further underlined the urgency of the current threat environment. Drawing on the theme “We Face a Complex Threat Environment,” they highlighted both known and emerging threats—from traditional state actors and legacy chemical agents to AI-enabled bio-threats and radiological risks, underscoring the need for rapid, integrated, and adaptive capabilities.
Future Strategies in CBRN Emergency Response and Mass Protection
One of the flagship sessions on Day 1 focused on “Future Strategies in CBRN Emergency Response, Decontamination, and Mass Protection,” led by Ms. Erica Howell of CPE CBRND and Mr. Eric Stevens, Deputy Director of Engineering at DEVCOM CBC. Their presentation illustrated a strategic shift away from a linear, sequential response model toward a more integrated architecture emphasizing continuous awareness, modular response options, and resilience across both military and homeland missions.
They discussed how technologies like the Autonomous Decontamination System (ADS) are changing the way forces think about mass decontamination and infrastructure protection, enabling faster, safer operations in contaminated environments. The emphasis was not only on new hardware and systems, but also on the doctrine, training, and partnerships needed to embed CBRN capabilities into overall readiness, rather than treating them as niche or stand-alone functions. Throughout the day, subsequent presentations and panels highlighted complementary efforts: expanded operational support to deployed forces, interoperable detection and decontamination capabilities, and improved mechanisms to connect field operators with subject-matter expertise 24/7. Together, these sessions painted a picture of a CBRN enterprise increasingly focused on agility, integration, and real-world applicability.
Medical Countermeasures and Bio-Surveillance: From Lab to Field
Another core pillar of NCT USA 2026 was the focus on early warning, bio-surveillance, and medical countermeasures. A dedicated session, chaired by BG (Ret.) William King, brought together leaders from the U.S. Army Medical Research Institute of Chemical Defense (USAMRICD), JPM CBRN Medical, BARDA within ASPR/HHS, and industry partners.
Speakers such as COL Tanja Roy (USAMRICD), COL John Nuckols (JPM CBRN Medical), Dr. Daniel Wolfe (BARDA), and Jami Johnson (SERB Pharmaceuticals) discussed the continuum from threat assessment and surveillance through to countermeasure development, approval, and deployment. The conversation highlighted:
– The growing portfolio of FDA-approved, licensed, and cleared medical countermeasures for CBRN threats.
– The importance of scenario-based planning for medical countermeasure use during complex response operations.
– The role of innovative public–private partnerships, flexible contracting vehicles, and initiatives like BARDA’s DRIVe in accelerating the transition from research to operational capability.
The panel underscored that effective medical response is not just about having the right drug or device on the shelf, but also about integrating those tools into realistic plans, stockpiles, training, and exercises that reflect how crises unfold in the real world.
Robotics, Unmanned Systems, and AI for CBRNE Threat Mitigation
Day 2 opened with a forward-looking session on leveraging robotics, unmanned systems, and artificial intelligence to mitigate CBRNE threats. Chaired again by BG (Ret.) William King, the discussion brought together perspectives from DTRA’s Joint Science and Technology Office (JSTO), CPE CBRND’s integrated early warning programs, and DEVCOM CBC’s engineering teams.
Speakers such as Dr. Robert Kristovich (JSTO DTRA), Ms. Juliane Olsen Hughes (JPM CBRN Integrated Early Warning), and engineers from DEVCOM CBC highlighted how autonomous systems are increasingly being designed to operate in hazardous environments—performing detection, sampling, reconnaissance, and decontamination tasks that would be high-risk for human responders. AI and advanced analytics, in turn, are helping to process massive data streams from sensors and surveillance systems, enabling faster and more accurate threat detection and situational understanding. These technologies are not being developed in isolation; they are part of a broader shift toward interoperable, networked capabilities that can be scaled across services and agencies, and tailored to both battlefield and homeland security applications.
Whole-of-Government Homeland Security and R/N Threat Readiness
Reflecting NCT USA’s whole-of-government ethos, dedicated sessions focused on domestic homeland security and radiological/nuclear preparedness. A panel on “Strengthening Homeland Security: A Whole-of-Government Approach to CBRN and Explosives” brought in senior leaders from the Department of Homeland Security, including the Chemical Security Analysis Center and the Office for Bombing Prevention, as well as local authorities responsible for CBRN and WMD detection and mitigation.
This was followed by a high-impact session on “Radiological and Nuclear Threat Readiness: Preparedness, Response, and Resilience,” featuring:
– Mr. Derek Estes, Deputy Director for the Office of Nuclear Incident Preparedness and Collaboration (NNSA).
– MAJ (P) Alex Barbuto, Department Head, Military Medical Operations at the Armed Forces Radiobiology Research Institute (AFRRI).
– CAPT Janis McCarroll and Mr. Jonathan Gill from FEMA’s National Preparedness Directorate and Office of Emerging Threats.
Together, they examined the unique challenges of radiological and nuclear incidents—from medical consequences and long-term survivability to interagency coordination and public communication. AFRRI’s role as the DoD’s sole R/N medical defense research facility, its history dating back to the Cold War, and its ongoing efforts in research, education, and nuclear survivability testing demonstrated how specialized expertise is being maintained and modernized to meet current and future demands.
DEVCOM, Partnerships, and Industry Engagement
Throughout NCT USA 2026, DEVCOM’s broader mission and structure served as an important backdrop. Presentations from Ms. Mary Hubbard and others highlighted how DEVCOM’s centers, especially DEVCOM CBC, are positioned within the Army’s acquisition and capability development ecosystem, and how they interact with organizations such as the Chemical Material Agency and other joint and interagency partners.
One notable example of collaboration was the Joint Enterprise Technology Tool (JETT), a web-based platform introduced as a streamlined channel for industry engagement with CPE CBRND. By connecting companies directly with the right points of contact based on a short questionnaire, and by facilitating cross-enterprise coordination among government organizations, JETT embodies the event’s central message: innovation moves faster when communication is clear, transparent, and accessible.
In the exhibition hall, NCT Tech Tours gave participants the opportunity to see emerging technologies up close, from detection and decontamination systems to personal protective equipment, decision-support tools, and advanced training solutions. These tours, along with scheduled networking breaks and the NCT Networking Reception, provided practical spaces for collaboration, idea exchange, and future partnership building.
NCT USA 2026 = Success
NCT USA 2026 succeeded on multiple levels.
First, it brought together the right people. Senior leaders from DEVCOM, CPE CBRND, DTRA, DHS, FEMA, NNSA, BARDA, USAMRICD, USAMRIID, AFRRI, and many other organizations shared insights and experiences, engaging directly with operators, researchers, and industry innovators. This mix of strategic decision-makers and hands-on practitioners ensured that discussions were both visionary and grounded in operational reality.
Second, it focused on the most pressing topics in today’s CBRNE landscape: future strategies for integrated response and mass protection; medical countermeasures and bio-surveillance; robotics, unmanned systems, and AI; and radiological and nuclear readiness. Each of these themes was explored through concrete case studies, technology briefings, and panel discussions that encouraged candid debate and knowledge sharing.
Third, the event provided tangible mechanisms for continued collaboration. Tools like JETT, ongoing DEVCOM collaboration initiatives, AFRRI’s operational support and training programs, and BARDA’s engagement channels all offer clear pathways for participants to sustain and deepen the connections made during the conference.
Finally, NCT USA 2026 reinforced the core principle that underpins NCT Consultants’ global series: that effective CBRNE defense and response are only possible when the entire community – military, government, first responders, academia, and industry – works together. By showcasing the latest capabilities, highlighting real-world challenges, and providing space for honest dialogue, the event helped move the CBRNE enterprise one step closer to the integrated, resilient posture demanded by today’s complex threat environment.
As participants departed Aberdeen Proving Ground at the close of Day 2, the sentiment was clear: NCT USA 2026 was not simply another conference, it was a working forum that accelerated ideas, forged partnerships, and helped shape the future of CBRNE preparedness and response in the United States and beyond.
