An Investigation into Low Environmental Impact Ordnance Disposal Methods With Ballistic Discs
Abstract
We report on the development of standoff Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operations with ballistic discs where safety and the minimisation of environmental impact of the explosive effects are of prime importance. Ballistic discs were selected since they can be designed to contain relatively small amounts of explosive (i.e. less than 100 grams) and low density case materials to minimise overpressure, fragmentation and site damage. Two EOD methods were investigated. One method was aimed at neutralising the munition fuze while leaving the body and filling intact. The other method was aimed at opening the munition case and producing a slow burn of the filling in a single operation. Our methodology involved evaluating ballistic disc designs using numerical modelling and instrumented firings. Short listed candidates were field tested against 105 millimeter HE shell and 81 millimeter mortars (representing thick and thin cased munitions). A ballistic disc design was produced that had 100 % success in neutralising the fuze and ejecting it from the munition case providing the aim position was away from the booster. Flash radiography showed that the fuze train was disrupted in less then 50 microseconds and the projectile was captured within the broken-up fuze assembly. A reproducible technique for producing a slow burn of the explosive filling was not proven. A set of conditions has been produced where the case is cracked open with part or full consumption of the filling by slow burning. Tests showed that the ballistic disc projectile was stopped within the thickness of a sandbag and ricochet did not occur for oblique angles of attack; thus there would not appear to be a down-range hazard. Other test demonstrated that sandbags placed over the ballistic disc did not impair its performance but removed any case fragmentation hazard and reduced the overpressure hazard to a low level.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1994
- Accession Number
- ADA507525
Entities
People
- C. P. Lam
- D. Mcqueen
- L. Mcvay
- M. Chick
- T. Bussell