The closed-circuit camera system at the Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant has been upgraded from an analog monitoring system to a digital system.

“Availability of replacement parts were grossly limited in the event of any failure,” said Rick Molello, cognizant systems engineer, Bechtel Pueblo Team. “That would place us at higher risk to support the system while meeting the requirements of the United States government and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. That was a deciding factor to move to this reliable, proven technology.”

For safety, security and compliance with governmental protocols, the plant is required to continually capture and archive video of any area where agent-destruction takes place. Monitoring systems used at demilitarization plants like PCAPP must demonstrate technical reliability as well as the durability to withstand potentially hazardous conditions.

Original designs for PCAPP in 2004 included an analog camera system that proved effective at other demilitarization plants at Johnston Atoll in the Pacific Ocean and Aberdeen Proving Ground in Maryland. While analog technology has become obsolete, the analog camera system was largely effective.

However, the outdated technology created practical challenges extending beyond the availability of parts.

“Prior to the upgrade, we still had to boot the system from a 3½-inch disk. While the analog system was operational, it was just too antiquated from a technical perspective,” said Reina Newman, senior electrical engineer, Bechtel Pueblo Team.

When the 155mm projectile destruction campaign concluded in September 2020, the new system was installed in the main plant. The new monitoring system went into service in time for the start of the 105mm projectile campaign in December.