Nuclear Detonation Rescue Exercise Validates Targeted Gamma Radiation Shielding
Technology with Live Sources
TAMPA, Fla., Sept. 9, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — StemRad, a global leader in personal radiation protection, announced today that its StemRad 360 Gamma Radiation Shield achieved outstanding results during the U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) CBRN RDAX “Dragon Spear 2024” exercise, held at the Guardian Centers in Perry, Georgia.
The five-day exercise simulated rescue and recovery operations from critical infrastructure following a nuclear detonation. Conducted on a rubble pile with live gamma radiation sources, the evaluation tested technologies under the most realistic nuclear disaster conditions faced by warfighters and first responders. StemRad’s 360 system has already been adopted by the U.S. National Guard, where it protects personnel conducting hazardous missions in radiological environments. Adoption by Special Operations Forces (SOF) would extend this protection to elite units operating in the most extreme scenarios.
Evaluation Results
USSOCOM evaluators scored the StemRad 360 Gamma 98/100 for training effectiveness, far surpassing readiness standards, and 80/100 for operational effectiveness, rating it “highly acceptable” for nuclear combat missions.
Operator comments highlighted both survivability and usability:
- “I was able to break through concrete with a sledgehammer and pull casualties out of a small tunnel with no issues.”
- “Best, most lifesaving tech when dealing with a rad concern for first responders.”
- “I love the product and hope the powers that be get it into the hands of more first responders in the future. Incredible lifesaving technology, easy to use, didn’t really get in my way at all.”
- Several operators noted they “forgot it was there” even while breaching and rappelling.
The evaluation also incorporated live radiation exposure, confirming:
- 73.3% ± 3.3% attenuation of Cs-137 gamma radiation, closely matching quality assurance results from independent laboratories (72.7% ± 4.1%).
- 60.4% ± 0.3% reduction in peak bone marrow dose under mixed-field conditions, consistent with 57.6% reduction measured in anatomically accurate human models at Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL).
These findings demonstrate that the StemRad 360’s targeted shielding significantly reduces gamma dose to bone marrow and could cut lethality to nearly 0% in exposure scenarios where half of unshielded personnel would otherwise die from acute radiation effects.
“This rigorous USSOCOM evaluation represents true validation with the warfighter — in battle conditions, on a rubble pile, with full combat gear and live radiation sources,” said Dr. Oren Milstein, CEO of StemRad. “The ability of our technology to perform seamlessly in this environment proves its lifesaving potential. Our mission is to safeguard those on the front lines, and the StemRad 360 has now shown it can do exactly that.”
Lt. Gen. David Furness, USMC (Ret.), added, “Operational survivability in a nuclear or radiological environment hinges on protecting those who are first in. The StemRad 360 provides exactly that — targeted shielding for the body’s most vulnerable tissues, without sacrificing mobility or mission effectiveness. This technology represents a critical step forward in ensuring our forces can continue to fight and save lives in the most extreme scenarios.”
About StemRad
StemRad is a pioneer in personal radiation protection solutions, dedicated to protecting those who protect us. Its technologies are trusted worldwide by leading space agencies, top medical institutions, first responders, and military forces. From astronauts to physicians and warfighters on the front lines, StemRad delivers cutting-edge shielding solutions that save lives in the most hazardous environments.
For more information, visit www.stemrad.com.
Media Contact:
Joshua Jones, PR Manager
+1-813-291-2303
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SOURCE StemRad
