A Protocol Approach for the Assessment of Munition Hazards.

Abstract : We describe and illustrate a methodology (or protocol) for assessing the response of munitions to unwanted hazardous stimuli. The approach has resulted from an international collaboration of scientists representing the US, UK, Canada and Australia. Protocols are being devised for the following hazards; cookoff, bullet/fragment impact, shaped charge jet impact, mass detonation and electrostatic discharge. Each protocol is science based and contains a logical decision tree that utilises a hierarchy of small scale test data. The decision tree flow chart leads the user through an ordered, step by step process that assesses the effect of the selected stimulus as it passes through the munition. It shows what information is needed and in what order and is not just a pass/fail test. The protocol approach can examine new weapon designs and candidate purchases to anticipate potential hazard problems as well as ways to mitigate the hazards with existing weapons. Hence it offers an important tool to assist with the bottom line of Insensitive Munition development, i.e., predicting munition vulnerability and hence an assessment of platform vulnerability. The approach is illustrated by an example.