AeroClave Delivers Breakthrough Biosecurity Operation at Tinker AFB with JBADS Lite Decontamination of E-3 Sentry Aircraft

ORLANDO, Fla., July 31, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- AeroClave LLC, a recognized leader in biodefense and biosecurity solutions, announced the successful completion of a high-impact deployment of its Joint Biological Agent Decontamination System (JBADS) Lite at Tinker Air Force Base (AFB), Oklahoma. The mission marked a critical milestone in operational biosecurity, remediating hazardous black mold contamination from two E-3 Sentry AWACS aircraft, protecting the health of aircrew and maintainers, while preserving vital airborne early warning and control capabilities for the U.S. Air Force.

This deployment underscores AeroClave's unique ability to deliver rapid, aircraft-integrated decontamination in real-world conditions using advanced biothermal decontamination (BTD) technology.

"The successful JBADS Lite deployment at Tinker AFB is more than a win for AeroClave, it is a decisive moment for operational readiness and force protection," said AeroClave CEO Dr. Ronald Brown. "We're proud to partner with the U.S. Air Force and the Joint Program Executive Office for Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Defense's (JPEO-CBRND) Joint Project Manager for CBRN Protection to address persistent biological threats in a way that's fast, safe, and highly effective."

Mission Overview
AeroClave deployed its JBADS Lite system to treat the interiors, airframe tails, and rotodomes of two mold-infested E-3 Sentry aircraft. The threat posed by black mold, which had colonized ductwork, structural cavities, and electronics critical compartments necessitated a system capable of penetrating complex airframe geometry without disassembly or use of corrosive agents.

Using precisely ducted hot, humid air, AeroClave's team maintained controlled internal environments, validated by a distributed sensor network logging temperature and humidity every 10 seconds. Post-mission analysis confirmed that all objectives were met.

JBADS Lite leverages the legacy and capability of AeroClave's full-scale JBADS system, originally developed for simultaneous interior and exterior decontamination of C-130 aircraft, and applies it in a modular, interior-focused format. The approach has proven versatile, with prior successful applications on a decommissioned C-130 at Little Rock AFB (2011), an operational C-130 from Peterson AFB (2016), and a C-17 at Dover AFB (2020).

At Tinker AFB, AeroClave custom-fabricated sealed duct interfaces on-site to match the unique E-3 airframe, including the rotodome, a critical sensor and radar platform. The effort was executed with full coordination from the E-3 Sentry System Program Office and Wing maintenance crews, and under the programmatic oversight of the Joint Project Manager for Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Protection (JPM CBRN Protection).

The success at Tinker sets the stage for further expansion of JBADS Lite applications across multiple airframe types and environments.

About AeroClave, LLC
Founded on the principle of safeguarding public health through innovation, AeroClave LLC develops and deploys advanced decontamination technologies for military, emergency response, aviation, and healthcare environments. From the front lines of pandemic response to the protection of strategic aircraft assets, AeroClave is redefining the future of biodefense.

Media Contact:
Ryan Brown
Director of Government Relations
[email protected]

SOURCE AeroClave LLC