Comparison of Explosives Residues from the Blow-in-Place Detonation of 155-mm High-Explosive Projectiles

摘要

The disposal of unexploded ordnance is a potential source of explosives residues on ranges. Blow-in-place detonation of munitions currently is done to clear these areas for safety without an emphasis on the consumption of the explosive load. The general testing method is to detonate the horizontal fuzed projectile with one block of C4 explosive. Explosives residues from blow- in-place disposal were examined using several different detonation configurations. Seven 155-mm fuzed high-explosive projectiles were detonated on a snow-and-ice-covered range on Fort Richardson, Alaska, to obtain baseline data on the current testing method. Tests were then conducted using the same type of projectiles in three configurations: fuzed rounds vertically oriented, fuzed rounds horizontally oriented with two donor charges, and a non-fuzed horizontal round with one donor charge. Recovered energetic residues indicate explosive load consumption in excess of 99.998% for all tests, ranging from 12 to 62 mg per round. This compares to 0.31 mg per round for live-fire detonation of the same-type rounds. Although two orders of magnitude higher, residue quantities for proper blow-in-place detonation of these munitions are quite small and are unlikely to result in significant explosives residues on ranges when compared to low-order or unaddressed unexploded ordnance.