Common Low-cost IM Explosive Program. Development of Next Generation Insensitive Munitions: A Success Story

Abstract

One of the tenets of the Project Manager for Combat Ammunition Systems Mission is to perform life-cycle management of tube-launched indirect fire munitions. Contained within this area are high explosive (HE) projectiles and cartridges for artillery and mortar applications. There are a total of fifteen HE projectiles: four for 105mm artillery, three for 155mm artillery three for 60mm, three for 81mm and two for 120mm mortar. All of these HE cartridges use either TNT or Comp-B fill. The PM decided to take a holistic review of pursuing IM and elected to execute the Common Low-cost Insensitive Munitions Explosive program. The CLIMEx Program Goals are as follows: Primary Goal - Selection of one single common explosive fill for all artillery and mortar products; Secondary Goal - Selection of two explosive fills, one that is common for replacement of TNT and another that is common for replacement of Comp B. During Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the CLIMEx program, a world-wide search of candidates was completed. During Phase 1, twenty three candidates were subjected to a battery of IM tests as per the specified protocol. The test protocol was established to account for screening candidates in a fair manner and at a affordable cost and schedule impact. Based on the results of the tests 3 candidates were identified as suitable to replace TNT and one candidate was identified as a candidate to replace Comp B. The three TNT candidates were further evaluated in Phase 2. IMX-101 was chosen as the TNT replacement candidate and IMX-104 was selected as Comp B replacement candidate. This paper will present an overview (background, protocol and results) of the U.S. Army's program to qualify a low cost, common IM explosive to replace TNT and Comp B along with the environment, safety and occupational health aspects of the new formulations.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Nov 30, 2011
Accession Number
ADA554406

Entities

People

  • Charlie Patel

Organizations

  • Picatinny Arsenal

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Counter IED
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Ammunition
  • Energetic Materials
  • Environment
  • Explosions
  • Explosive Ordnance Disposal
  • Explosives
  • High Explosives
  • Insensitive Explosives
  • Intellectual Property
  • Life Cycle Management
  • Life Cycles
  • Materials
  • Materials Testing
  • Munitions
  • Projectiles
  • Rdx
  • Test Methods

Readers

  • Agricultural Chemistry/Soil Science
  • Life Cycle Cost Analysis
  • Munitions and Ordnance Engineering