Surveillance and Proof

M7 Slide 1

Definitions

Service Life: The overall life span Storage Life: The life in specified storage

conditions (part of service life) Stability: Properties affecting safety Surveillance: Systematic method of evaluating

properties and performance Proof: A type of surveillance, specifically

functional testing or live firing

MA7 Slide 2

Purpose

Only way to establish safety and stability

Allows assessment of the ammunition• Safety• Reliability• Operational effectiveness

May permit extensions to the shelf life

MA7 Slide 3

Purpose

Safety and stability in storage Safety, reliability and performance during use Monitor environmental conditions Detect failure modes before the user is

affected Predictions to support procurement plan Extend the in-service life in an informed way

MA7 Slide 4

Aging and Degradation of Ammunition

Physical Chemical

MA7 Slide 5

Physical Examples:

• Energetic materials:• De-bonding between explosive and inert surfaces• Stabiliser depletion within the energetic material

• Electronics:• Component ageing• Component shock damage

• Structure:• O-ring failure• Mechanical damage (impact, corrosion)

MA7 Slide 6

Chemical Factors:

• High temperatures • Large variations in temperature • Low temperatures• High or low humidity• Vibration• Shock• Pressure

MA7 Slide 7

Vibration

MA7 Slide 8

Baseline Data

A baseline (or benchmark):• Manufacturer’s test results and proof results• Explosive safety assessment data• Accelerated aging tests• Component fatigue tests• Measurement against known norms• Test results from other nations• Explosive Hazard Data Sheets• Compatibility data

MA7 Slide 9

Climatic Impact on the Degradation of Explosives

MA7 Slide 10

Climatic Impact on the Degradation of Propellants

MA7 Slide 11

In Service Proof

Examples:

• Guns: Tests on muzzle velocity, range, accuracy• Grenades: Tests on delay time • Pyrotechnics: Tests on burning time

MA7 Slide 12

In Service Proof

Illustrative Example: Hand Grenade Proof Tests

MA7 Slide 13

Chemical Stability of Explosives

Good performance at proof ≠ chemical stability

Chemical stability needs to be monitored as well

Proof and surveillance are both required

MA7 Slide 14

Chemical Stability of Propellants

Accelerated aging:

• Physical tests• eg Abel Heat Test, Methyl Violet, NATO 65.5ºC

• Chemical Tests• Eg High Performance Liquid Chromatography,

In the final stages of decomposition, some

propellants can give off BROWN FUMES of

nitrogen dioxide. This is an EXTREME situation

and indicates that auto-ignition is imminent

and that a FIRE COULD OCCUR AT ANY TIME.

MA07 Slide 15

In Service Stability Surveillance Systems

•System components:

• An effective ammunition management plan• Trained and experienced technical staff• A capable explosives laboratory• Effective sampling mechanisms• An efficient ammunition accounting system• National Authority responsibility, planning and

direction

MA7 Slide 16

In Service Stability Surveillance Systems

Known details:Selection for testing:

• Age• Harsh climate condition• Length of time stored

out of depots• Unusual performance• Transported lots• Existing test results

Unknown details:Selection for testing:

• High temperature• Age• Unknown origin• Unknown composition• Suspect deterioration• Unusual characteristics

MA7 Slide 17

In Service Stability Surveillance Systems

Date of manufacture Batch or lot number Nomenclature (technical name) Form in which the explosive is held Quantity held Due date of next stability test Type of stability test required The current storage location of the explosive

MA7 Slide 18

In Service Stability Surveillance Systems

Example stability test schedule

MA7 Slide 19

Surveillance of Nitrate Esters

MA7 Slide 20

Questions

MA7 Slide 21