In a monumental step for warfighter safety and mission readiness, the Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Medical (JPM CBRN Medical), a component of the Capability Program Executive for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense (CPE CBRND), equipped the Joint Force with a critical defense against nerve agent attacks. In March 2026, the team officially achieved Full Operational Capability (FOC) for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved Advanced Anticonvulsant System (AAS), completing the successful fielding of this critical medical countermeasure (MCM).

This achievement represents a significant leap forward in defending our service members against traditional and non-traditional nerve agent-induced seizures, while also preventing subsequent neurological damage, and is the culmination of years of dedicated effort. 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. 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.

FOC 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. This is a critical milestone in the acquisition and fielding process, as it signifies that the criteria specified in the system’s Capability Production Document have been fully met for all designated units. For the warfighter, achieving FOC means that the full weight of a new technology—such as the AAS—is officially standardized and ready to protect the Joint Force at scale.

"Achieving Full Operational Capability for the Advanced Anticonvulsant System is a testament to this team's relentless dedication to warfighter safety”, said Army Col. John Nuckols, JPM for CBRN Medical, “and by fielding this capability across the Joint Force, we are providing our service members with a rapid, life-saving medical countermeasure that directly improves their survivability and readiness in contested environments."

This milestone is especially notable given the complex logistical, regulatory, and licensing hurdles and constraints the team overcame. By late 2025, the program had reached 79% completion, but an active conflict in Israel (where the manufacturer Rafa Laboratories, Ltd is located) made transport of the final units difficult. At the same time, the team successfully secured a new National Stock Number (NSN) for the AAS, which was rapidly approved and issued on December 8, 2025 and allows the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) to receive and store the AAS. Once the logistical pathway was cleared and DLA storage confirmed, Rafa Laboratories managed to execute a three-phased delivery plan to the DLA distribution facility, despite the active conflict. The final milestone was officially recorded on March 25, 2026, when the DLA accepted the last increment of autoinjectors, successfully completing the FOC requirement.

"The ultimate success of this effort highlights the immense value of our partnerships with industry,” said Michael Levandusky, joint product manager for JPM CBRN Medical. “By working hand-in-hand with Rafa Laboratories to navigate complex manufacturing and logistical hurdles, we ensured that the Joint Force is now fully equipped with a rapid response to nerve agent threats."

With FOC achieved, the program will transition into the Operations and Support phase of acquisition, with a DLA sustainment contract award expected toward the end of Fiscal Year 2026.

The transition to full sustainment ensures that the tactical advantage provided by the AAS remains a long-term component of the Joint Force’s medical defense posture. By establishing a logistical framework through the DLA, JPM CBRN Medical ensures this critical MCM remains operationally available and mission ready. This completion of the fielding cycle signifies a reinforced layer of protection for the warfighter, providing the Joint Force with the resilience required to survive and maintain operations in the face of evolving CBRN threats.

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