Development of Directives for Safe Storage of Ammunition and Explosives forMilitary Operations Out of Area. Phase 1: Problem Definition and Evaluation of Present Directives

摘要

On behalf of the RNLA and RNLAF, guidelines for safe field storage of ammunitionand explosives for military operations out of area will be developed. In this first project phase, the shortcomings of current (international) directives are inventoried and a list of specific demands and wishes of the RNLA and RNLAF is formulated. The acquired knowledge and information will be used in the second phase of the project to develop preliminary guidelines. After evaluation of aspects such as explosion safety and military applicability, final guidelines will be formulated. The current directives for field storage are not suitable for military use. The NATO AASTP-1 standard prescribes well-founded regulations, but is not very accessible and therefore not suitable for use in the field. The military directives of the UN are inconsistent and incomplete. The offered level of protection for personnel and environment is significantly lower than according to the NATO standard. An accepted level of risk is defined by the RNLA and RNLAF. It is expected that the implementation of this relatively low level of risk in future guidelines will affect the military applicability. Measures to reduce exterior stand-off distances to increase the military applicability are discussed.