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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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      BGCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot near Richmond, Kentucky.

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      Pueblo Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (PCAPP)

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Static Detonation Chamber 2000 Begins Operations at Blue Grass Plant

Published: January 27, 2023 | Category: BGCAPP News, Technology
The first boxes of containerized, drained GB nerve-agent rocket warheads sit on a conveyor to be processed in the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 2000 Jan. 27. The SDC 2000 is being used to destroy secondary waste, overpacked M55 rockets, M55 rockets deemed unsuitable for processing in the main plant and undrained rocket warheads.

The first boxes of containerized, drained GB nerve-agent rocket warheads sit on a conveyor to be processed in the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Static Detonation Chamber (SDC) 2000 Jan. 27. The SDC 2000 is being used to destroy secondary waste, overpacked M55 rockets, M55 rockets deemed unsuitable for processing in the main plant and undrained rocket warheads.

Operators began destroying rocket warheads drained of GB nerve agent using a new piece of equipment, the Static Detonation Chamber 2000, at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Jan. 27.

“We chose the SDC 2000 to augment destruction operations in the main plant because it enhances worker safety in the processing of higher-risk munitions,” said Dr. Candace Coyle, Blue Grass plant site project manager. “It also supports the United States’ obligation to fulfill the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty commitment to destroy our chemical weapons by September 2023.”

The SDC 2000 will destroy M55 rockets that have leaked in the past and been placed in overpacked containers, as well as M55 rockets found unsuitable for processing in the main plant and problematic undrained rocket warheads. The system will also be used to destroy the containerized, drained rocket warheads, which are considered secondary waste.

“As the demilitarization effort continues its final campaign, yet another asset is starting up to provide the needed capability to destroy the Kentucky stockpile,” said Craig Williams, co-chair, Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board. “This technology will provide the capability to deal with problem rounds in the safest and most environmentally protective manner. It is another positive step towards completing this critical effort.”

Chemical weapons destruction operations began at the Blue Grass plant on June 7, 2019. The GB nerve agent M55 rockets are the last of five different munitions stored at the Blue Grass Army Depot to be destroyed. Those rockets made up more than 50% of the original stockpile stored in Kentucky.

Overall, trained operators have overseen the safe destruction of 359.3 U.S. tons of chemical agent as of Jan. 20. A total of 164 U.S. tons of chemical agent remains to be destroyed in Kentucky.

The Blue Grass plant is on target to complete destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile by the Chemical Weapons Convention treaty commitment of Sept. 30, 2023. U.S. public law mandates stockpile destruction by Dec. 31, 2023. After chemical weapons destruction operations are completed, the closure phase will continue for an additional three to four years. The depot will continue its conventional weapons missions beyond the plant’s closure phase.

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, SDC 2000, Static Detonation Chamber, Static Detonation Chamber 2000

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