The experience of American epidemiologists gained from the COVID-19 outbreak at NATO military base at Hamid Karzai international airport in Afghanistan can be quite useful. It can help to stop outbreaks of new unknown contagious diseases provoked by biological weapons.

Relevance. The contagious disease outbreaks at military forces location may tamper with their work. The newly appeared or unknown contagious diseases are the most dangerous ones in this sense, as their efficient detection, treatment and prevention tools have not been created yet.

Purpose of the study is to analyze epidemic control measures that were taken at NATO military base at Hamid Karzai international airport (as exemplified by the COVID-19 outbreak).

Study base sources. The authors have studied scientific journals in the English language available on the Internet (publication 2020–2021).

Method. Analytical.

Results. Large international airports are one of the main sources of contagious disease agents spreading to the nearest and farthest regions and countries. The American commanders took some quarantine measures at NATO military base at Hamid Karzai international airport to diminish the spreading of COVID-19 among the troops and reduce possible consequences. The comparison of values of the two group (quarantine and non-quarantine) detected that these groups were quite close in terms of parameter “Number of detected virus carriers (percentage)”. It means that these limitations are not enough to prevent COVID-19 from spreading.

Conclusions. The epidemic control measures taken at military bases and their subdivisions help to decrease contagious disease spreading, only if the contacts of the ill persons are traced. The military persons mostly fall ill with COVID-19 at their job sites.

Highlights

- Modern synthetic biology technologies enable the creation of gain-of-function (GOF) viruses capable of causing infectious processes in humans, animals, and plants.

- GOF virus-induced infections may present with atypical symptoms and internal organ damage, complicating timely diagnosis and reducing treatment efficacy.

- There are no conventional mechanisms to prevent the creation and spread of synthetic pathogens.

- The digitization of synthetic biology allows pathogens to be transmitted as digital data and reassembled in vitro.

Relevance. Synthetic biology technologies, including genome editing and virus synthesis, are now accessible even to small laboratories and are actively used to modify pathogens affecting humans, animals, and plants.

Purpose of the study is to demonstrate how GOF viruses can be created abroad using synthetic biology technologies and assess their potential pathogenic effects.

Study base sources. English-language publications from the PubMed database.

Method. Analytical approach, following PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines.

Results. Currently, synthetic virus construction primarily employs two methods: Gibson assembly, Transformationassociated recombination (TAR), including TAR cloning in Saccharomyces cerevisiae yeast.Viral genomes are assembled from oligonucleotide fragments with targeted modifications, enabling the production of synthetic viruses with designed properties, including GOF traits. The study also identified molecular markers distinguishing synthetic viruses from natural strains.

Conclusion. Advances in synthetic biology have created a new reality – the potential for biological warfare where the fact of an attack, its perpetrators, and the means used may remain undetectable. This situation establishes a fundamentally new paradigm of biological threats to medicine, veterinary science, and agriculture, necessitating the development of international risk management mechanisms.

Highlights

- The new camouflage parameters must account for the probability of concealing space and the probability of distorting the observed image by a transparent aerosol due to the change in the initial direction of light quanta by transparent particles.

- To verify the theoretical propositions, an experimental setup has been proposed to measure direct and altered light quanta, followed by mathematical processing of the results.

Relevance. The use of aerosol obscurants for camouflaging objects against enemy reconnaissance and weapon guidance systems remains a critical task, as evidenced by operational experience in the Special Military Operation (SMO).

Purpose of the study is to determine aerosol masking parameters. They are stipulated by the impact of aerosol particles on visible light range distribution in space (electromagnetic impulse), which contains data on objects to be masked and their background.

Study base sources. Previous articles of these authors on aerosol masking that were published in the Journal of NBC Protection Corps in 2021–2024.

Method. The authors of this article have conducted a comprehensive analysis of the previous approaches to the object aerosol masking and analyzed the traditional opinions about the light quanta interaction when they go through transparent and non-transparent media (aerosol particle assembly).

Results. The authors have identified the shortcomings of the previous approaches to the object aerosol masking, which neglected the aerosol size distribution and the difference in light interactions between transparent and non-transparent aerosols.

Conclusions. The primary parameters for aerosol-based object concealment should include: the spatial obscuration ratio (fraction of space occluded by aerosol particles from an observer or optical device), the photon path distortion ratio (portion of light quanta that, aſter interacting with transparent particles, deviate from their original trajectory and project onto incorrect points of the observed object or background). The total camouflage probability is defined as the sum of these independent probabilistic events. For experimental determination of concealment and distortion probabilities using transparent aerosols, we propose a setup comprising: a standard aerosol chamber and two diffraction gratings: the first grating generates an initial source of plane-polarized light$ the second grating functions as a receiver with opposing movable sectors, designed to measure light intensity at discrete angular intervals during a complete 360° rotation of the measurement device. A dedicated mathematical framework has been developed to process the experimental data and calculate the camouflage parameters.

Highlights

- Measuring the shape, size, particle concentration, and statistical distribution within an aerosol formation allows for the optimization of influence from the microphysical properties of the dispersed phase (DP) in aerosol obscurants.

- The reliability of particle dispersion analysis results for the DP can be achieved through the simultaneous or sequential application of various direct and indirect measurement methods, including those with different sensitivity thresholds.

Relevance. The variety of methods for studying the microphysical characteristics of aerosols and the technical means of their implementation complicates the selection of those that provide comprehensive data on DP characteristics.

Purpose of the study is to select methods and means for studying the microphysical characteristics of artificially generated aerosol DP that can be used for signature reduction.

Study base sources. Scientific and technical literature, including sources available via the global Internet.

Method. Analytical.

Results. Original classifications of the main microphysical parameters of aerosol DP were proposed, divided into three main groups (static, dynamic, and electrical parameters), along with methods for aerosol dispersion analysis based on direct and indirect measurement principles. The specifics of measuring particle size parameters, as well as methods and technical means for dispersion analysis, were examined. The applicability of these methods for studying aerosol formations in signature reduction applications was determined.

Conclusions. For the study of aerosol formations intended for signature reduction, the combined use of direct and indirect measurement methods is advisable, including static image analysis and laser diffraction analysis. Among these, a minimal set of direct and indirect measurement methods – accounting for the design features of the implementing hardware – may consist of: Phase-separation filtration (aspirator); Weighing (special-class laboratory scales); Static image analysis (microscope with soſtware for image dispersion analysis), and; Laser diffraction analysis (in a configuration with spatially separated emitters and receivers).

Highlights

- Modeling the regional transport of hazardous substances is of paramount importance, particularly in the context of chemical/biological weapons threats, necessitating fundamentally new computational approaches.

- The analysis revealed a systemic crisis in modeling: traditional methods have exhausted their potential for largescale tasks, while the transition to computer-based forecasting is hindered by a lack of specialized soſtware and methodological solutions.

Relevance. The study of atmospheric dispersion patterns of pollutants has become critically important amid increasing anthropogenic pollution and potential threats of chemical/biological weapons use, accidents at nuclear chemical and biological hazardous facilities, terrorist attacks, and sabotage. Advances in computational technologies offer new opportunities for modeling these processes.

Purpose of the study is to a comprehensive analysis of modern mathematical modeling methods for atmospheric dispersion of anthropogenic pollutants.

Study base sources. An analytical review of scientific publications from Google Scholar and the Russian Electronic Library, supplemented by the authors' own developments.

Method. Analytical.

Discussion. The catastrophic increase in pollution, especially in urbanized areas, calls for improved forecasting methods. This is particularly relevant in the context of potential aerosol-based chemical/biological weapons use. Computer modeling enables solutions to previously intractable forecasting challenges.

Conclusions. Existing models are effective for local-scale calculations (up to several kilometers) but require development for regional scales and especially in large city conditions. A key limitation is the shortage of specialized soſtware. Researchers must choose between adapting existing methodologies and developing new solutions.

Highlights

IFlamethrower-incendiary weapons of the Red Army maintained their significance throughout the Great Patriotic War (GPW).

Combat experience confirmed the effectiveness of explosive flamethrowers (FOGs) in both defensive and offensive operations.

By 1943, key principles of their employment had been established: massed use on main axes of advance, combined arms coordination, and echeloned deployment in depth.

Relevance. The study of FOG employment during the GPW remains under-researched, despite its practical value for modern warfare. The devastating lethal and psychological effects of flamethrowers make them relevant in the context of the Special Military Operation (SMO).

The purpose of the study is to summarize the combat experience of FOG units during the GPW and trace the evolution of their tactical use.

Study base sources. Archival materials from the Central Archives of the Russian Ministry of Defence (TsAMO RF), open-source publications, and electronic resources.

Research methods. A comprehensive approach, including analysis of military-historical literature and archival records.

Results. Flamethrower units made a significant contribution to victory, particularly aſter 1943, when their employment became integral to army- and front-level operations. Tactical improvements enhanced their survivability and combat effectiveness.

Conclusion. The GPW experience confirmed the critical role of FOGs in close combat. Their study is essential for training CBRN defense specialists, and their employment principles can be adapted to the SMO.