Now that the mustard munitions campaign is complete, workers are changing the Explosive Destruction Technology into a facility that will process drained nerve agent warheads.

“We’re shifting from an operational mindset from the processing of the mustard munitions to a construction mindset as we evolve the facility into its next phase,” said Rusty Davis, Static Detonation Chamber 1200 deputy plant manager, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass. “It’s a change in pace and activity, and the team is doing very well.”

Changes being made to the facility to handle VX nerve agent rocket warheads drained in the main plant include a new feed system with a robot to place the warheads into the destruction process, refurbishment of the detonation chamber and new monitoring equipment designed to detect nerve agent, Davis said. The facility is also receiving a new off-gas treatment system, including a thermal oxidizer, and systems such as electrical supply feeds to support it.

“This activity supports the overall project mission of destroying the chemical weapons so there is no continued risk to the public and environment from their long-term storage,” Davis said. “I’m very pleased with the planning and execution during this change-over period.”

Facility construction is planned to be complete in the late spring or early summer of 2022, with commissioning activities and a readiness review following, before its planned start fall 2022.