Nerve agents rockets

Inclosure 30 shows the M55 GB Nerve Agent Rocket unpack area. In this area the individual rockets are removed from their packing of 15 rockets. The rockets are transported in the steel container shown in the center of the room. This operation is monitored by one of the new alarms - referred to as an RTM for Real Time Monitor and two bubbler stations. The detection systems are positioned to provide as representative a sample as possible (with a point sampling system). In addition one of the bubblers samples the room exhaust. The RTM is being evaluated in the Tooele operation and if successful could replace some of the bubbler requirements. 

Kitamura, R., M. Ueda, and J.K. Asahina. 2007. Surrogate test for M55 nerve agent rocket mortar by DAVINCH. Presented at the 10th International Chemical Weapons Demilitarisation Conference in Brussels, Belgium, May. Available online at http //www.dstl.gov.uk/conferences/ cwd/2007/. Last accessed on February 17, 2009. 

The M55 unitary 115-mm sarin or VX nerve agent rockets were produced for delivery from the US Multiple Launch Rocket System. However, a design flaw in the warhead caused leakage almost as soon as they were manufactured. (Courtesy of Soldier Biological and Chemical Command, Historical Research and Response Team, Aberdeen Proving Ground, MD.)... 

Uhe stockpile (the subject of the Amy s Chemical Stockpile Disposal Program) consists of (1) bulk containers of nerve and blister agents and (2) munitions, including rockets, mines, bombs, projectiles, and spray tanks, loaded with nerve or blister agents. Buried chemical warfare materiel, recovered chemical warfare materiel, binary weapons (in which two nonlethal components are mixed after firing to yield a lethal nerve agent), former production facilities, and miscellaneous chemical warfare materiel are not included in the stockpile. The disposition of these five classes of materials is the subject of a separate Non-Stockpile Chemical Materiel Pro-... 

Iran Has a stockpile of chemical weapons. Previously known to have produced and stockpiled blister, blood and choking agents, and probably nerve agents. Seeking aid from Chinese and Russian entities to develop more advanced self-sufficient infrastructure. Delivery systems include artillery shells, mortars, rockets and aerial bombs. Used chemical weapons during Iran-Iraq War. 

Libya Produced mustard gas and nerve agents before 1990. Working to re-establish chemical weapons capabilities that had been limited by United Nations sanctions from 1992 to 1999. Highly dependent on foreign supplies. Attempted to use chemical weapons against Chad troops in 1987. Potential delivery systems include short-range anti-ship cruise missiles, air-launched tactical missiles, fighter aircraft, bombers, artillery, helicopters and rockets. 

The technology developed for demilitarization of nerve agent filled rocket munitions has also been exploited in the demilitarization of conventional artillery projectiles. 

According to the Army s report, over time, nerve agents, particularly the nerve agent GB, become acidic and can corrode the metal warheads of rockets, mortars, and projectiles. In some cases, the corrosion can eat small holes in the metal warheads that allow the agent or agent vapors to escape. These leaks can be either external or internal to the munition. 

In fiscal year 1981, the Army planned to build a disposal facility on Johnston Island, which would use the reverse assembly and incineration process to destroy chemical weapons stored on the island. Although the Army designed the Johnston disposal facility to destroy all types of munitions, it initially planned to equip the facility to destroy only one type of chemical munitions—the M55 rocket. Determining that the M55 rockets were in poor condition and were no longer militarily useful, the Army established an M55 rocket disposal program to destroy the nerve-agent-filled rockets stored at Johnston Island and five chemical storage sites in the continental United States. 

RCM RCRA rocket cutting machine Resource Conservation and Recovery Act vx a nerve agent... 

Fig. 2-52. The M55 115-mm rocket could hold the nerve agents VX or sarin. The problem was the aluminum warhead, which began leaking soon after production. Photograph Chemical and Biological Defense Command Historical Research and Response Team, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md.

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