The Date was changed from October 1997 to March 1998 in response to input provided by the Chemical and Biological Defense Command Edgewood, MD, September 18, 1997. Information Analysis Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, Oct. 1995, p. 414. The test paddles contain agent simulant which the operator uses to test the system.
Ions make up molecules.
Ions have a small electric charge that can be detected. Worldwide Chemical Detection Equipment Handbook, Chemical and Biological Defense Information Analysis Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD, Oct 1995, p. 413. The actual number of alarms a unit deploys with is dependent on the type unit it is and where it will be located within the theater of operations. A company sized unit may have anywhere from 4 to 6 alarms. The US Army specified special handling and disposition instructions in the event the ion cell module becomes damaged at any time.