Results and Final Report from the Applied Research Proposal for the Explosive Destruction of Chemical Munitions

Abstract : Product Manager for Non-Stockpile Chemical Material (PMNSCM) at Edgewood Chemical and Biological Centre proposed techniques whereby recovered chemical weapons are destroyed by explosive opening and chemical neutralisation within a closed system. A prototype was designed to test the practicality of this proposed solution and preliminary proofing work was conducted in the U.S.. Previous toxic trials conducted by the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) at Porton Down, UK proved provisional proof of principle for the destruction of munitions containing phosgene and mustard, but subsequent improvements were necessary in the prototype and more data was required to fully demonstrate proof of principle. This proposal covers the provision, by Dstl of facilities and skilled personnel to enable PMNSCM to assess and develop the techniques by challenge with live CW agents and aged CW munitions. This document describes the results of the trials described in the Applied Research Proposal for the Explosive Destruction of Chemical Munitions System and the Addition to Applied Research Proposal for the Explosive Destruction of Chemical Munitions (U.S. Army Contract No. N68171-01-C-9014).