NOVICHOK

Description:

'Novichok' (Russian for newcomer) is an advanced series of nerve agents developed by the Soviet Union prior to the end of the Cold War. Reportedly more deadly than VX, like most nerve agents it attacks the nervous system causing involuntary contraction of muscles, leading to respiratory and cardiac arrest.

PRIMAL Assessment:

The engineering challenge for this advanced generation of Nerve Agents was to make them more difficult to detect, more persistent, defeat protective gear, and increase lethality in smaller concentrations. It is yet to be determined if these goals were actually achieved.