“Anniston is uniquely prepared to support the Pueblo mission because we have processed over 100,000 munitions or energetic components through the SDC,” said Will Leslie, SDC plant manager.

The Anniston SDC will augment PCAPP by destroying non-contaminated explosive components removed from the munitions processed by PCAPP. It uses electrically-generated heat, up to 1,100 degrees Fahrenheit, to detonate explosive components, he said.

“They’re [the Anniston team] experienced in the processing of energetics and they’ve processed many already that are very similar to the ones we are going to ship them,” said Paul Dent, operations integration manager at PCAPP. “So, we have a high degree of confidence that everything will be done compliantly, safely and efficiently.”

SDC staff is currently conducting a treatability study in an effort to increase the net explosive weight feed limit.

“This effort will benefit the PCAPP project because increased feed rates will result in reduction in schedule and cost to process the PCAPP energetics,” said Leslie Ware, deputy project manager, AFO.

In preparation for the future receipt of the energetic components, the Anniston and PCAPP teams are ensuring issues associated with shipping and receiving are being identified and resolved, Ware said.

The Anniston team is also planning for treaty compliance by preparing for an upcoming Facility Engineering Review performed by treaty inspectors, Ware said. During this inspection, officials from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons examine the facility to ensure that detailed facility information and verification processes are accurate.