The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot, or BGAD. Located near Richmond, Kentucky, the depot provides conventional ammunition services, chemical defense equipment management and manufacturing capabilities for the Department of Defense. The Blue Grass Chemical Activity, a tenant of the 15,000-acre depot, is responsible for safekeeping the chemical weapons stockpile stored at the depot. Together, the U.S. Army and the community surrounding BGAD are working in a committed partnership to support the safe destruction of the stockpile.
The Blue Grass chemical weapons stockpile was originally comprised of 523 U.S. tons of weaponized blister and nerve agent in M55 rockets, 155mm projectiles and 8-inch projectiles. Destruction operations began in June 2019. The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives is responsible for completing stockpile destruction operations by the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty commitment of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. Public Law mandates stockpile destruction by Dec. 31, 2023.
8-INCH PROJECTILES, M426 (GB)
Campaign Status: Complete | First munition destroyed: Jan. 17, 2020, Last munition destroyed: May 11, 2020
As of May 11, 2020, all 8-inch projectiles have been safely destroyed in Kentucky. Each 8-inch projectile weighed 203 pounds and was filled with approximately 14.5 pounds of liquified GB nerve agent. The agent was drained from the munitions and neutralized. Metal parts were decontaminated and recycled in accordance with all environmental laws and regulations.
155MM PROJECTILES, M110 (H)
Campaign Status: Complete | First munition destroyed: June 7, 2019, Last munition destroyed: Sept. 4, 2021
As of Sept. 4, 2021, all M110 155mm projectiles have been safely destroyed in Kentucky. The M110 155mm projectile was made of forged steel and filled with 11.7 pounds of blistering agent H, also known as mustard. In total, the munition, which contained a burster, weighed more than 94 pounds. BGCAPP destroyed 155mm projectiles filled with mustard agent using the Static Detonation Chamber. Remaining metal parts were recycled after the munitions were destroyed.
155MM PROJECTILE, M121A1 (VX)
Campaign Status: Complete | First munition destroyed: Jan. 10, 2021, Last munition destroyed: May 28, 2021
As of May 28, 2021, all M121A1 155mm projectiles have been safely destroyed in Kentucky. The M121A1 155mm projectile was made of forged steel and filled with six pounds of VX nerve agent. In total, the munition weighed more than 98 pounds. BGCAPP destroyed these weapons using neutralization. Metal parts were decontaminated and recycled in accordance with all environmental laws and regulations.
115MM CHEMICAL ROCKETS, M55 (GB or VX)
VX Campaign Status: Complete | First munition destroyed: July 9, 2021; Last munition destroyed: April 19, 2022
GB Campaign Status: Underway | First munition destroyed July 6, 2022
As of April 19, 2022, all M55 115mm rockets containing VX nerve agent have been safely destroyed in Kentucky. The campaign to destroy M55 115mm rockets containing GB nerve agent is underway. The M55 115mm rocket consists of a chemical agent filled M56 warhead attached to a M67 rocket motor. It has a diameter of 115 millimeters (4.44 inches) and together with its M441 shipping and firing tube container weighs a total of 77.5 pounds. The warhead is filled with 10 pounds of VX nerve agent or 10.7 pounds of GB nerve agent. BGCAPP is destroying these weapons using neutralization. The drained rocket warheads and overpacked munitions will be destroyed in a Static Detonation Chamber unit.