Explosive ordnance detonation

Following the liberation, the State of Kuwait undertook extensive explosive ordnance detonation (EOD) operations in which large quantities of unexploded munitions were destroyed through open burning (OB) or detonation in underground pits (OD). This resulted in the contamination of soils with nitroaromatics, nitrosamines. 

Ordnance Explosive Train Designers Handbook , NOLR 1111 (1952), p G1 2a) C.G. Dunkle, "Introduction to Theory of Detonation of Explosives , Lecture delivered at PicArsn on 13 Dec 1955, pp 1-14 (Definitions of detonation, detonation process and other terms) 3) Clark Hawley (1957), pp 293-95 ("Detonation , by W.H. Rtnkenbach) 370-71 (Explosives and Detonation, by M.A. Cook)... 

The explosive power of FAE amazes even explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) personnel. Experts have estimated that a liquefied natural gas (LNG) tanker, if detonated, would produce the blast equivalent of a nuclear weapon. A propane truck, properly fuzed and... 

Usually, explosive items recovered by hand neutralization ara destroyed by specially-trained explosive ordnance disposal units. Should untrained troops be requir to do this, they should follow established procedures with great care. Explosives to be detonated should be buried in a pit at least i feet deep under 2 feet of earth, free of rocks or other matter that may become flying d ris. 

Many new robotic designs are being created. Vehicles looking like the lunar excursion module are common in bomb disposal units. Robotic backhoes and other devices are now in use. However, the concept of robotics can be as simple as placing an explosive ordnance item on a 3-in. foam rubber cushion atop a child s plastic basin-shaped sled and pulling it via a 200-ft nylon rope to a sandbagged detonation area. 

The operational scenario for the EDS consists of Explosive Ordnance Disposal personnel hand-carrying the recovered munition and placing it in the EDS containment vessel. Once the munition is enclosed in the EDS, the conical and linear shaped charges are initiated to explosively open the munition and detonate the burster. Reagents are then added to treat the chemical agent. The treatment process relies on chemistries developed by the U.S. Army for the various... 

In 2004, a homeowner in the US state of Delaware noticed an object in his clamshell driveway which turned out to be a 75 mm artillery round (clam shells are commercially dredged partly for use as filler for driveways to homes in the region). An air force explosive ordnance disposal unit removed the shell and detonated it. Believing that it was conventional explosive round, the unit was somewhat surprised by the shell s weak explosion. The unit also noticed the presence of a dark liquid the colour of coffee surrounding the remnants of the shell. However, the unit did not consider that the shell might have been a chemical round until one of the members woke up in his home several hours later because of a severe and deep burning sensation. Classical sulphur mustard blisters soon formed and the samples taken from the fluid of the blisters confirmed that the person had been exposed to sulphur mustard. The shell had originally been dumped by the US off the east coast. 

After PINS confirmation, explosive shells are best detonated on-site as even unfused old ordnance can have hypersensitive crystals growing in the exudate that forms in the bottom of the shell as the explosives age. For single UXO on a range, the author believes in the as is where is philosophy for detonating explosive ordnance. Simply build a containment structure and sandbag it over the shell and detonate it where it is. However, chemical shells with Lewisite or other arsenicals will leave behind arsenic, which must be cleaned up after detonation. If not detonated where found for fear of touching off adjacent munitions, or because of the proximity of buildings or people, the UXO should be robotically moved as short a distance as possible for detonation. 

The contamination of the environment by explosives, especially by nitroesters and nitroaromatics (NACs), is a worldwide environmental problem since enormous amounts of these compounds were produced during World War I and II. Most contaminated sites are located at ammunition factories and other places where these compounds were handled. This involved open detonation and burning of explosives at army depots, evaluation facilities, artillery ranges, and ordnance disposal sites (Rodgers and Bunce, 2001). 

Title of a series of USBurMinesProgress Reports by C.M. Mason F.C. Gibson, Nos 1 to 8, beginning July 1, 1953 and ending June 30, 1955, OrdnProject TB2-0001, Army Project 599-01-004. This project was not really new but resulted from consolidation of two projects previously conducted separately as Fundamental Research on Explosives Phenomena and Detonation Involving Novel Photographic Methods , carried on respectively as Ordnance Projects TA3-5001 and TB2-0001... 

Grain Burning or surface burning theory of deton) 57a) Anon, "Ordnance Explosive Train Designers Handbook , USGovtPrinting-Office, Washington, DC (1952), pp G1 to G3... 

The term "detonator" has also been referred occasionally to devices used to destroy some ordnance items, but the term "Destructor, Explosive" is preferred [See Vol 3 of Encycl, p D92-R (Ref 48)]... 

Fuze, Auxiliary Detonating (ADF). An additional fuze used to augment the output of a fuze explosive train or to increase the overall safety features of an item of ammunition (Compare with "Activator described in Section 2, Part A of this work, Glossary of Ordnance and Other Terms Used in This Description of Ordnance Items")... 

Inert fuzes are provided for training ground crews in assembling handling of bombs, and also for classroom instruction of ordnance personnel. These fuzes are standard items, except that explosive components (primers, detonators, delay relay elements and boosters) are removed (Ref 51a, p 4-107)... 

See also Section 9 Physical Tests for Determining Explosive and Other Properties of Detonators, Primers, Igniters and Fuzes in Vol 4 of Encycl, pp D1078ff Refs l)Anon, "Ordnance Explosive Train Designers Handbook , NOLTR 1111(1952), Chapters 1 2 2) Anon, "Explosive Trains ,... 

For underwater work, a combination system is recommended. Best results are obtd when die detonating cord is led from the main chge to a point above the surface of die water. An electric blasting cap is then attached to the cord and connected to the blasting machine or other power supply. This combination gives positive results because all electrical connections are above water Ref Anon, Use of Explosives in Underwater Salvage , US Navy Dept, Bureau of Ordnance Pamphlet DP 2081(1956), Chapter 5, pp 28-38... 

W. C. Holton The Detonation Pressures in Explosives as Measured by Transmitted Shocks in Water, U.S. Naval Ordnance Laboratory Rept. NavOrd 3968,1954. 

This Encyclopedia is intended to cover the following items a)Military and industrial explosives, explosive compositions, propellants and pyrotechnic compositions b)Explosives and explosive compositions which have not been used for military or industrial purposes c)Analytical procedures for the more common explosives, propellants and pyrotechnic compositions d)Compounds which deflagrate or may possibly explode because of the presence of plosophoric groups e)Ammunition items, such as projectiles, bombs, grenades, detonators, fuzes, etc fJCalibers of weapons and projectiles used in the US and foreign countries g) Brief definitions of ordnance terms h)Names of scientists who made important contributions in the fields of explosives, ammunition and weapons... 

Van Gelder and Schlatter (Ref 5) state that a US version of Thorite contained AN mixed with nitro aromatic compds. Thorite was at first highly commended (Ref 1) but a later report criticized it adversely due to the failure to obtain a uniform degree of detonation or expin, which appears to be inherent in this class of explosives (Ref 2), More likely the defect lay in the strength of the fuze, AN expls requiring an exceptionally heavy detonator. In spite of the adverse opinion of the Bureau of Ordnance, the Congress appropriated funds for the purchase of Thorite (Ref 3), and shells filled with this material were used in the Philippine Islands during the Spanish-American War Refs 1) Anon, Annual Report of the Chief of Ordnance, US Army (1899), 22 2) Ibid... 

CA 40, 2764(1946) (Polaro-graphic detn of azide ion in general and in LA in particular) 5)D.F. Vasil ev, Trudy-KomissiiAnalKhim, OtdelKhimNauk, 2, [5], 90-5(1949) CA 44, 9300-1(1950) (Polarogra-phic detn of Pb content of LA) 6)US Military Specification MIL-L 3055(1949) and Amendment 1 (1952) (Requirements for crystalline LA intended for use in manuf of detonators, fuzes and priming compns) 7)W.H. Rinkenbach A. J.Clear, "Standard Laboratory Procedures for Sensitivity, Brisance and Stability of Explosives , PicArsnTech Rept 1401 (1944), Revised in 1950 8)J. Bernstein, "Determination of Moisture Content of Lead Azide , PicArsnGenLab Rept 51-H1-2331 (1951) (Comparison of closed and open vessel techniques) 9)US Rubber Co, Kankakee Ordnance Works, Joliet,... 

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