MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Chemical Agent Detector Kit, M256A1

Chemical Agent Detector Kit, M256A1

M256A1 line art

Chemical Agent Detector Kit, M256A1 open to display all the contents Soldier with gloves on checking Chemical Agent Detector Kit, M256A1 to detect blister and nerve agents
Click to Enlarge

Mission

Detect and identify blood, blister and nerve agents present either as liquid or as vapor. May be used to determine when it is safe to unmask, to locate and identify chemical hazards (reconnaissance), and to monitor decontamination effectiveness. The M256 is not an alarm; it is a tool used after soldiers have received other warnings about the possible presence of chemical warfare agents, and have responded by putting on their chemical protective clothing.

Entered Army Service

1978

Description and Specifications

The M256 consists of a carrying case, a booklet of M8 paper, 12 disposable sampler-detectors individually sealed in a plastic laminated foil envelop, and a set of instruction cards attached by a lanyard to the plastic carrying case. The case is made from molded, high impact plastic and has a nylon carrying strap and a nylon belt attachment. The case measures seven inches high, five inches wide, and three inches in depth. The entire kit weighs 1.2 pounds. The kit can operate in temperatures ranging from minus 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-32 degrees Celsius) to 120 degrees Fahrenheit (49 degrees Celsius).

The M8 paper is used to test liquid substances for the presence of nerve agents and blister agents. It is similar to the litmus (pH) paper that is found in almost any laboratory in that a test result is indicated in both types of paper by a change in color. The difference is that M8 paper is specifically designed (dye-impregnated) to react to nerve agents and blister agents in liquid form (M8 Paper is also issued to soldiers as a separate piece of chemical detection equipment). The soldier blots the M8 paper on a suspected liquid agent and observes for color change. There is a color chart inside the front cover of the booklet for comparison. The M8 paper comes in 4″ x 2.5″ booklets, each containing 25 sheets of detector paper.

Each sampler-detector contains a square impregnated spot for blister agents, a circular test spot for blood agents, a star test spot for nerve agents, and a lewisite detecting tablet and rubbing tab. The test spots are made of standard laboratory filter paper. There are eight glass ampoules, six containing reagents for testing and two in an attached chemical heater. When the ampoules are crushed between the fingers, formed channels in the plastic sheets direct the flow of liquid reagent to wet the test spots. Each test spot or detecting tablet develops a distinctive color which indicates whether a chemical agent is or is not present in the air. The use of eel enzyme for the nerve test in place of horse enzyme provides for an improvement to the M256A1 Kit by detecting lower levels of nerve agent. Any type of mustard is also detectable as long as vapor is present.

By following the directions on the foil packets or in the instruction booklet, a soldier can conduct a complete test with the liquid-sensitive M8 paper and the vapor-sensitive sampler-detector in approximately 20 minutes.

A M256A1 trainer simulator was developed to provide realistic training while avoiding unnecessary exposure to potentially carcinogenic reagents in the M256A1 detector kit. The M256A1 trainer contains 36 pre-engineered detector tickets and an instruction booklet. The pre-engineered detector tickets show color changes comparable to those seen when the M256A1 detector kit is used in clean or contaminated environments.

Agents, Symbols, and Classes
AGENT DETECTED SYMBOL CLASS
Hydrogen Cyanide AC "Blood" (cyanide)
Cyanogen Chloride CK "Blood" (cyanide)
Mustard H Blister
Nitrogen Mustard HN Blister
Distilled Mustard HD Blister
Phosgene Oxime CX Blister
Lewsite L Blister
Nerve Agents V and G series Nerve

Manufacturer

Multiple

 



Guns & Weapons

Aircraft

Air Defense Military

Antiarmor Weapons

Mortars & Howitzers

NBC Defense Systems

Tracked Vehicles

Humvees &Wheeled Vehicles

Comments

Filed Under: Resources

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

DoD Moves Forward With PCS Overhaul

JULY 26, 2025 – The Defense Department’s Permanent Change of Station Joint Task Force is taking decisive steps to stabilize the military move process following the termination of its contract with HomeSafe Alliance, June 18, 2025. During a press briefing earlier this week, Army Maj. Gen. Lance G. Curtis, task force commander, stated that the […]

Air National Guard Unveils New Bonus Program

MARCH 11, 2023 – On March 1st, the Air National Guard (ANG) launched a new bonus program to attract and retain personnel in critical specialties. The initiative offers significant financial rewards, with bonuses of up to $90,000 for eligible members, depending on their Air Force Specialty Codes (AFSCs). This strategic move aims to strengthen the […]

Education Benefits Make Stronger Service Members

APRIL 3, 2025 – Within the armed forces, a variety of educational benefits are available that allow service members to both improve themselves and make themselves more valuable to their service branch. One example is the Military Tuition Assistance Program. The program is available to enlisted personnel, officers and warrant officers in the Army, Navy, […]

Former Soldier Navigates Job Hunt

NOVEMBER 19, 2024 — In early 2017, Michael Quinn endured what he called the worst day in the worst year of his life. Quinn, then a sergeant major and 24-year Army Soldier, had weathered deployments in Iraq, Afghanistan and the Philippines. As an Army counter-intelligence agent, he said he learned to operate under grave circumstances […]

Financial Planning for Military Families

JUNE 25, 2025 – Have you ever wondered how military families manage their finances while dealing with deployments, relocations, and changing pay structures? Financial planning is a vital part of life for families who serve. With unique benefits, challenges, and lifestyle changes, military families must make smart financial decisions that protect their future and help […]

Recent Posts

  • DoD Moves Forward With PCS Overhaul
  • Army Unveils Lightweight Combat Assault Ration
  • Coast Guard National Security Cutter Returns
  • USNS Comfort Arrives in Limón, Costa Rica
  • Air Force Shows Off It’s Mobility
MAINMENU



Powered by pixfuture


SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2025 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.