Commercialization of Technologies to Lower Defense Costs. Final Demonstration/Validation Report for STAPP Bullet Catcher Evaluation
Abstract
CTC proceeded directly into the development of a Phase 2 Dem/Val Plan in order to facilitate this initiative. As part of its effort to continue Pollution Prevention (P2), and reduce the impacts of training on the environment, the DoD is being proactive by testing an alternative backstop for use on military small arms firing ranges. All on-target bullets fired upon the Bullet Catcher installed at Fort A.P. Hill's Range 4 were stopped and contained within the bullet trap itself and no bullets/lead or lead contaminated water were introduced to the environment. When compared to the use of a conventional soil berm, the use of a Bullet Catcher on Range 4 could drastically decrease the amount of lead introduced into the environment. Soil erosion and lead migration would also be reduced or possibly be eliminated. The Bullet Catcher installed at Fort A.P. Hill's Range 5 sustained damage to the bottom rubber liner. Although the depth of the granular rubber was not sufficient to properly decelerate .50 caliber rounds, which allowed those rounds to penetrate through the bottom rubber liner, the top rubber cover performed properly. Due to bullets penetrating the bottom rubber liner of the Range 5 Bullet Catcher, an accurate comparison to a conventional soil berm could not be conducted. If the proper depth of granular rubber to adequately decelerate .50 caliber rounds could be determined, the same Bullet Catcher could also decrease or eliminate the amount of lead introduced to the environment on Range 5. From the data collected during this demonstration/validation, it can be assumed that a Bullet Catcher installed upon a clean berm (or a lead contaminated but exempt from regulations berm) would have a cost savings in the event of a range closure requiring full remediation. When installed upon a clean, lead-free range, the amount of lead introduced to the environment would be minimal, if any, assuming all rounds are on target and impact the Bullet Catcher.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 30, 2004
- Accession Number
- ADA444870
Entities
People
- Bill Tumblin
Organizations
- Concurrent Technologies Corporation