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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)
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      Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)


      Mission: The safe elimination of chemical weapons at Pueblo and Blue Grass by Sept. 30, 2023

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Simulated Warheads Prepared for Systems Testing

Published: October 27, 2022 | Category: BGCAPP News, Systemization, Technology
Munitions handlers crimp a seal onto the end of a container holding a simulated rocket warhead in the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 storage magazine at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in September. The simulated containerized warheads were developed to test the Blue Grass SDC units prior to their operations.

Munitions handlers crimp a seal onto the end of a container holding a simulated rocket warhead in the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 storage magazine at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in September. The simulated containerized warheads were developed to test the Blue Grass SDC units prior to their operations.

Munitions handlers prepared mock rocket warheads in September for testing the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber, or SDC, units before their operations begin.

“This test equipment is specifically made to closely simulate rocket warheads,” said Rusty Davis, deputy plant manager, SDC 1200. “It is used to test processing systems, to assist in validating procedures and to train workers before actual munitions are processed.”

The munitions handlers filled the test warheads with varying percentages of glycol, a chemical-agent substitute for testing, capped them, and sealed them within standard destruction containers. The different percentages of glycol will show how the SDC and its off-gas treatment system react to each percentage during testing and will provide information to tune the systems, Davis said.

“It took the crew about a month to prepare 700 test containerized warheads,” David said. “Developing this equipment is an essential part of the process to get ready to destroy the containerized, drained rocket warheads.”

The test containerized warheads are being used in the systemization of the SDC 2000 prior to the start of its operations, planned for the end of the year. They will also be used to test the SDC 1200 after it enters the systemization phase, planned for early 2023.

The SDC units will be used to process containerized, drained warheads, along with overpacked M55 rockets and potentially M55 rockets that are unsuitable for processing in the main plant but not overpacked.

More BGCAPP News Articles

  • A skid of containerized, drained rocket warheads stands in the Static Detonation Chamber 2000 Enclosure Building to await destruction.

    Permit Modification Request to Increase Feed Rate Open to Public Comment

    Published: February 6, 2023
  • Operators move hoses to prepare for the transfer of hydrolysate into a truck tanker trailer at the Tanker Loading Station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Blue Grass Plant Marks Secondary Waste Destruction Milestone

    Published: October 21, 2022
  • Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant crews inspect containerized drained rocket warheads before they are shipped to temporary storage.

    Public Comment Sought on Blue Grass Permit Modification

    Published: August 25, 2022
  • Workers install portions of the automated loading system for the Blue Grass Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 2000 in the SDC 2000 Enclosure Building April 4. This equipment will take the place of human munitions handlers in loading containerized or overpacked munitions and components into the chamber for destruction.

    State Regulator Approves Two Blue Grass Permit Modifications

    Published: May 23, 2022
  • Workers remove used carbon filters from the Blue Grass Explosive Destruction Technology air filtration system for disposal as hazardous waste.

    Teamwork Key to Removing Used Carbon Filters

    Published: April 19, 2022
  • Workers pass a piece of plywood up the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 stairs in preparation for opening the roof to allow a new piece of equipment to be lowered into the building. The building passed decontamination verification testing in January, which means workers do not have to wear chemical protective gear as they prepare for the system’s next activity.

    Former Mustard Destruction Facility Passes Crucial Test

    Published: March 1, 2022
  • Workers drill holes for structural steel placement on the Static Detonation Chamber 1200 Off-gas Treatment System Building foundation at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. A public comment period is open through March 16 for a permit modification request for this system.

    Comment Period Open for Public Input on Draft Environmental Permit

    Published: February 23, 2022
  • A worker guides a crane after its placement of the thermal oxidizer for the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 1200 unit at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The SDC 1200 requires a completely new off-gas treatment system in order to process drained, containerized VX nerve-agent warheads.

    New Pollution Abatement System Under Construction

    Published: August 30, 2021
  • A forklift operator is guided by spotters as he loads a crate of non-contaminated rocket motors onto a truck at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant July 20. The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection has opened a public comment period for plant modification requests that include additional storage space for the motors.

    Public Comment Period Open for Hydrolysate Shipment, Rocket Motor Storage

    Published: July 29, 2021
  • A truck and tank trailer sit in the tanker loading station at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

    Project Managers to Discuss Hydrolysate Shipment at June 9 Public Meeting

    Published: June 3, 2021
SDC, Static Detonation Chamber

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Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (PEO ACWA)