1 Wes Thompson by: Tactical Missile Recycling at the ANMC MRC BRIEFING AMCOM.

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Wes Thompson

by:

Tactical Missile Recycling at the ANMC

MRC BRIEFINGMRC BRIEFING

AMCOM

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Army Tactical Missile Systems

Class 1.1 PropellantsClean Burning/Detonable

HELLFIRETOWCHAPARRAL

Class 1.3 PropellantsSmoky/Nondetonable

HAWKMLRS PATRIOT

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Recycling is the Alternative to OB/OD

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What is a Missile Recycling Capability?

Environmental Compliance: “Recycling is the Future, and the Future is Now”

• Major MRC Modules- Missile Disassembly - Energetics Processing- Rocket Motor Denozzling - Slurry Explosive Manufacturing- Propellant Removal - Hardware Decontamination- Warhead Explosive Removal - Material Handling & Shredding Equipment - Energetics Size Reduction

• >98% of TOW missile components are recyclable

- Missile Warheads - Guidance & Control Packages- Rocket Motor Propellants - Airframe Components- Rocket Motor Cases - Shipping Containers

WarheadExplosive

S&A

SystemActuator

Gyro

Batteries

ElectroOptics

Launch Motor

Igniter

Flight Motor

Electronics

Electronics

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ANMC – MRC Module Locations

Building 381Missile Disassembly Processes

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Building 65Slurry Explosives Manufacturing

EPM SiteIngredient Extraction & Recovery

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ANMC – MRC Building 381

Existing vacant building has been upgraded to

accommodate MRC modules

Work cells for • Missile Disassembly• Propellant & Warhead Separations• Hardware Recovery

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ANMC - Building 381

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MRC Disassembly Module

Disassembly of TOW Missile Major Hardware Components

• Disassembles missile into major subsystem components

• Segregates rocket motors, warheads, and inert hardware components for recycling operations

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Electronic Units from TOW Disassembly

Air Frame Components from TOW Disassembly

Launch Tubes from TOW Disassembly

> 98% of TOW Missile Components are Recovered for Recycling

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MRC Denozzling Module

• Removes aft closure (nozzle) from forward motor section• Provides access to rocket motor propellants• Damage free recovery of motor hardware

Launch Motor Denozzling

TOW Launch Motor

Flight Motor with Nozzle Removed

TOW Flight Motor

Flight Motor Denozzling

Launch Motor with Nozzle Removed

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TOW Launch Motor Denozzling Bay

TOW Launch Motor Denozzling Machine


Launch Motor Components

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TOW Flight Motor Denozzling Bay

TOW Flight Motor Denozzling Machine


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MRC Propellant Removal Modules

• Provides low cost/high rate method for efficient propellant removal• Recovers cartridge loaded and case bonded propellants for recycling

Vertical Milling MachineSquib & Retaining Nut Removal Machine

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TOW Squib & Retaining Nut Removal Machine

MRC Propellant Removal Module

TOW Double Base Cartridge-Loaded Grain

TOW Squib & Retaining Nut Removal Machine

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TOW Igniter Assembly Removal Machine


TOW Igniter Assembly Removal Machine

Squib and Igniter Assembly Components

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MRC Propellant Removal Modules

Vertical Milling Machine

Typical Propellant Chips

Cutting Head

Motor Case Holding Fixture

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19• Removes entire explosive warhead billet from outer casing• Separates warhead explosive from shaped charge liner

MRC Warhead Explosive Removal Module

Warhead Billet Removal Machine

Warhead Billet Splitting Machine

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Warhead Billet Removal Machine

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Warhead Billet Splitting Machine

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Warhead Billet in Contact with Knives

LX-14 Split from Cone

Aluminum WarheadCasing Recovered

Shaped-Charge CopperCone Recovered


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Energetics Size Reduction

After Size Reduction

Before Size Reduction

MRC Energetics Size Reduction Module

• Reduces the size of recovered bulk energetic materials

• Provides granulated feedstock for energetic material recycling

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MRC Energetics Size Reduction Module

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Located at Redstone Arsenal

Pilot plant provides technical basis for full-scale engineering development

EPM extracts, separates, and recovers propellant and warhead oxidizers

Redstone Pilot PlantEnergetics Processing Module (EPM)

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Oxidizers Recovered from Propellants and Warheads

Recovered AP

Recovered RDX

Recovered HMX

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MRC Energetics Processing Module

• Recovers high value, energetic oxidizers (HMX, RDX, & AP) from propellant and warhead feedstocks• Recovers and recycles liquid ammonia processing solvent within a closed-loop system

Extraction Vessel

On-going EPM Construction Vertical EPM Tower

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MRC Energetics Processing Module

Installation of the EPM Ammonia Charging Hopper

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MRC Slurry Explosive Manufacturing Module

Slurry Mixer Mining Explosive Product

Incorporates ~20% of a low value energetic material into a commercial Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil (ANFO) mining explosive

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MRC Slurry Explosive Manufacturing Module

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ANMC – Building 65Slurry Explosive Manufacturing

Planned MRC Slurry Explosive Manufacturing Site

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MRC Hardware Decontamination Module

• Flashing furnace decontaminates missile hardware components

• Decontaminates non-combustible metal to 5X cleanliness

• Limited to 5 pounds of net explosive weight (NEW)

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• Provides for material transport and shredding of inert missile components

MRC Material Handling and Shredding Equipment Module

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MRC STATUS AT THE ANMC

• Installation of the following modules at the ANMC was completed 30 September 02

- Missile Disassembly Workstations (QTY:3) - Warhead Billet Splitting Machines (QTY: 4)- Launch Motor Denozzling Machines (QTY:4) - Squib Removal Machines (QTY: 4)- Flight Motor Denozzling Machines (QTY:4) - Igniter Assembly Removal Machines (QTY: 4)- Warhead Billet Removal Machines (QTY: 4)

• Installation of the remaining MRC modules will occur during FY 04-05

- Vertical Milling Machine (QTY: 2) - Hardware Decontamination Module (QTY:1) - Energetics Size Reduction Machines (QTY: 2) - Energetics Processing Module (QTY: 1)

- Slurry Explosive Manufacturing (QTY: 1)

• During this current LRIP phase, 5,000 TOW missiles are scheduled to be processed by 30 SEP 03

THE FULLY INTEGRATED ANMC MRC WILL HAVE A CAPABILITY TO RECYCLE >15,000 TOW MISSILES PER YEAR

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500 Wynn Drive, Bldg 300, Suite 314

Huntsville, AL 35816

POC: Wesley Thompson

Director of Engineering Services

Phone 256-722-7200

E-mail: [email protected]

Thank you for the opportunity to tell you about our team capabilities

US Army Aviation and Missile Command

Research, Development, and Engineering Center

Redstone Arsenal

POC: Dr. William Melvin

Technical Program Manager for R3 Technologies

Phone: DSN 746-4096

E-mail: [email protected]

1 Wes Thompson by: Tactical Missile Recycling at the ANMC MRC BRIEFING AMCOM.

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Transcript of 1 Wes Thompson by: Tactical Missile Recycling at the ANMC MRC BRIEFING AMCOM.