CHAPTER 10 NEW TECHNOLOGY

TM 9-1300-277

CHAPTER 10

NEW TECHNOLOGY

10-1. GENERAL

d. There is a substantial list of ammunition items in

the demilitarization inventory which have no other D/D

method than open burning and open detonation. These

a. Public Laws and implementing regulations have

range from munitions employing riot control agents,

established new directions, standards, and guidelines

various kinds of explosives, and propellants to fire

which govern the environment in which demilitarization

bombs, cluster bombs, and improved conventional

and disposal (D/D) is conducted. Much of the existing

munitions. Some of these munitions have only recently

and proven D/D technology is becoming obsolete in

entered Field Service Stocks. The number of these

whole, or in part, and new initiates are required. The

items consigned for D/D is expected to grow. The need

Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) (PL

for alternative methods of D/D is well established.

89-272, as amended by PL 91-512, PL 93-611, and PL

94-580) will ultimately have the greatest impact because

e. A large number of concept proposals have been

its principal thrust is to conserve resources and to

identified in a review conducted by the Joint

recover resources for reutilization.

Conventional

Ammunition

Program

(JCAP)

Demilitarization

and

Disposal

Group

(JCAP

b. Generally, there is adequate technology to

Demilitarization Technology Report, May 1980) which

perform the traditional types of D/D, i.e., open burning,

recognize and propose technology concepts to meet

open detonation, washout, and deactivation furnace.

most of the problem areas identified. This report serves

There are controversies over the extent to which open

as a data base of ongoing Research, Development, Test

burning and open detonation will continue to be viable.

and Evaluation (RDT&E), military construction and

However, one state announced that it was suspending

engineering projects directed toward new or improved

its agreement with an installation pending a definitive re-

disposal techniques, analysis of these projects,

examination of the materials involved and the emissions

distribution of information and coordination, These

created.

concept proposals can assist the ammunition R&D

c. With the new regulatory emphasis outlined in

program manager to implement the Joint Regulation

paragraph 10-2, below, it is no longer possible to

discussed in paragraph 10-7, below, as it relates to

conduct D/D operations in the same manner and with

integrating D/D plans into item/system support

the freedom of action with which these activities were

packages.

conducted in the past. In particular, open burning and

open detonation as methods of disposal can be

10-2. ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS

expected to receive increasing scrutiny from regulatory

agencies and become progressively more difficult to

Justify, Because of the unique characteristics of

a. A series of Public Laws have been enacted

ammunition, it is unlikely, however, that disposal by

which establish new directions, standards, and

open burning and open detonation will completely

guidelines relating to the environment. Public Law 94-

disappear as viable disposal alternatives. It is in the

580, perhaps more than any of the others, changes the

best interest of the Military Services at all levels to

direction of D/D technology because it mandates

recognize these D/D limitations, identify those processes

resource conservation and recovery.

Since D/D

which do not conform to these limitations, and actively

technology historically was oriented at destruction, the

pursue alternatives designed to achieve D/D within

enactment of Public Law 94-580 has resulted in a

regulatory constraints.

considerable amount of proven D/D technology

becoming obsolete. Thus, the continued use of that

obsolete technology does not satisfy the new

requirements for recovery and reutilization.

10-1