US ARMY CHEMICAL MATERIALS AGENCY

11 Dec 2012

M55 Rocket Separation Operation

Presented by: LTC Christopher GriceCommander, Blue Grass Chemical Activity

Presented to:Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Kentucky Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED

Agenda

Purpose/Background

Samples

Process

Planning/Oversight/Approval

Operational Safety and Security

Questions/Answer

2

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

The purpose of testing is to validate rocket propellant stability and best practices for continued safe storage and future demilitarization operations.

The benefit of performing propellant analysis is to ensure the continued safety of the workforce, community, and environment.

Chemical Materials Activity (CMA), in partnership with the Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA) program, has directed BGCA to separate 44 M55 chemical rocket assemblies.

U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) Report on M67 rocket assembly/M28 Propellant Handling, dated 21 March 2011, recommended consideration of sampling at BGCA.

ACWA intends to conduct container performance testing to support transportation of separated rocket motors for final disposal.

PurposeUNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED 3

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

BGCA last conducted rocket separation operations in the 1980s. All master sample lots tested since the 1980s have indicated safe

for continued storage at BGCA. Throughout the lifecycle of the stockpile numerous rockets have

been separated without incident.

The Rocket Separation Operation has been successfully accomplished at Pine Bluff Chemical Activity and Umatilla Chemical Depot.

BackgroundUNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED 4

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

BGCA will select and separate 44 M55 chemical rockets.

BGCA will minimize the amount of pallet movements to ensure the safety of the workforce and community.

Selected rockets for disassembly will be monitored and overpacked prior to movement with continuous air monitoring throughout the operation.

Processing time indicates three rounds separated each day.

SamplesUNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED 5

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

De-mate Warhead from Rocket Motor

(RM)

Overpack Warhead

Return warheads to

storage

Return Rocket

Motors to Storage

Rocket Separation Process

Place Rocket Motors back in

SFT

Ship 25 Rocket motors to

ARDEC

Monitor, overpack and

Transport

Begin Rocket Separation

Receive Order to Perform Rocket

Separation

Sample Propellant and destroy RMs at

ARDEC

Store 19 Rocket Motors for ACWA until future testing

Select rocket samples

Remove from Shipping and Firing Tube

(SFT)

6

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

Rocket Separation Equipment

7

APE 2097 Rocket Restraining Device

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

Rocket Separation (Removal from SFT)

8

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

Rocket Separation (De-mating)

9

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

Level of Dress

The level of dress for this operation is Level C.

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

BGCA has started rehearsals which include:• Transportation during Chemical Accident or Incident Response

and Assistance and Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program Exercises.

• Follow-on Rocket Separation exercises will occur using APE during CAIRA and Pre-op Survey prior to operations.

• Full dress rehearsals of the operation to validate the process.

Igloo modifications will not begin until KDEP issues the approved permit modification.

CMA Safety will conduct a comprehensive Pre- Operational Survey prior to conducting operations.

Planning/Oversight/ApprovalUNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED 10

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

All hazards identified have been mitigated or reduced to the lowest level.

Medical response team will be on-site at all times.

1000CFM filter to be placed on igloo and low level monitoring will be conducted at all times during operations.

Rocket motor exhaust /venting system will be in place during operations

With exception of rocket separation, all other operations occur on a regular basis.

Security personnel will be present during the selection, transportation, and rocket separation operation.

Operational Safety and SecurityUNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED 11

BLUE GRASS CHEMICAL ACTIVITY

Questions/Comments

Closing Remarks UNCLASSIFIED

UNCLASSIFIED 12