A truckload of simulated chemical weapons, specifically inert M55 rockets, arrived at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) Dec. 8.

“These munitions are specifically designed to be as close to the real munitions as possible for processing purposes,” said Justin Fischer, logistics analyst, Leidos. “Some are empty, some contain water and some contain ethylene glycol to safely simulate chemical agent. They are very similar to the test hardware used by the baseline destruction sites, but are adapted for Blue Grass equipment and processes.”

Known as Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives Test Equipment, or ATE, these munitions will be used for testing the function of the Blue Grass plant. They look, weigh, handle and are palletized like real chemical rounds; however, they do not contain explosives or chemical agent, Fischer said.

This equipment joins several previously received truckloads in a project warehouse. They will be placed into service when BGCAPP systemization personnel begin testing equipment and systems, said Mark Williams, warehouse supervisor, BGCAPP.

“This is the last delivery of test equipment we have scheduled for this year,” said Williams. “Deliveries will resume in early 2016. The plant will use a lot of these during systemization, so the warehouse will be pretty full once we receive them all.”

The main plant’s ATE is expected to start being placed into service for testing later in 2016, said Jeff Brubaker, site project manager, BGCAPP. The Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology project will also use ATE for training workers and testing the Static Detonation Chamber. Those simulated rounds, previously transferred to BGCAPP, will be managed separately.