(542b) Green Armaments Technology - Energetics Forensics Initiative

Millions of acres of land and internal waterways within the United States may potentially be contaminated with unexploded ordnance (UXO), explosives and other hazardous/toxic substances. Much of the contamination resulted from the conduct of essential military training and weapon system testing that serves the Nation and protects the American people during times of war. The environmental problems caused by the firing of ammunition include the release of hazardous materials into the air during incomplete combustion of propellants, explosives, pyrotechnics and smokes which expose troops to inhalation hazards at point-of-fire. Additionally, heavy metals and residual chemicals from energetics such as TNT, RDX and HMX may contaminate soil and ground water. Therefore, the Army has an increasing need to respond to regulatory concerns regarding the impacts to health, environment and safety of testing and training activities if we are to maintain access to testing and training facilities vital to our Nation's military readiness. While progress has been made to reduce the hazardous/toxic contamination of a few munitions, much work remains to be done.

As a mechanism to maintain the DoD's testing/training capability and mission readiness, the Green Armament Technology (GAT) Energetics Forensics Initiative (EFI), developed a Strategy for ?greening? munitions in order to minimize the contamination on training ranges. The Energetics Forensics Initiative first identified the root cause(s) of the energetics contamination on military training ranges by establishing a comprehensive knowledge base with regard to training range contamination as a result of the normal use of ammunition by soldiers. The literature and background review included studies regarding: fate and transport and toxicology data for the contaminants and the contaminant by-products; characterization of emissions at the firing point and at impact area; individual range characterization efforts; the role of unexploded ordnance (UXO) and incomplete detonation of munitions in the contamination; and environmental and health impacts of the contaminants. From the identified root causes of contamination, an Army Strategy for ?greening? munitions was developed. The strategy is currently being applied to the 155mm Howitzer HE M107 series. Potential alternatives for design and manufacturing modifications, which will directly minimize the contamination on training ranges are being identified and RDTE programs will be developed for the highest priority items.

The Energetics Forensics Initiative provides a mechanism to ensure range sustainability by establishing the nature, extent and sources of contamination on the ranges, as the basis for a GAT Strategy to ?green? munitions thereby minimizing potential contamination of ranges. The approach of the GAT Energetics Forensics Initiative will ensure that the Army maintains both the highest level of environmental stewardship of the Nation's resources as well as continued access to facilities vital to military readiness.