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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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      Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP)

      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)

      PCAPP is safely destroying the chemical weapons stockpile currently in storage at the U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot in Colorado.

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BGCAPP Destruction information
BGCAPP Destruction information

The Blue Grass Army Depot originally stored more than 523 tons of mustard and nerve agent in rockets and projectiles.

Storage igloos at  The U.S. Army Pueblo Chemical Depot VX CAMPAIGN COMPLETE: MAY 28, 2021 155mm projectile 155mm Projectiles GB CAMPAIGN: UNDERWAY 8-inch Projectiles 8-inch projectile M55 Rockets M55 rocket CAMPAIGN COMPLETE: MAY 11, 2020 VX CAMPAIGN COMPLETE: APRIL 19, 2022 H CAMPAIGN COMPLETE: SEPT. 4, 2021 155 155mm Projectiles The 155mm projectile is a World War II-type munition. The 155mm projectiles in the Blue Grass stockpile contain mustard agent (H) or nerve agent (VX). Up to three colored bands, signifying the chemical agent within the munition, characterize its gray projectile body. The shell contains an adapter and a burster casing that screw into the nose of the shell, also allowing a fuze to screw into the nose of the projectile. The VX projectile cavity contains 6 lbs. of liquid agent and includes a burster well but no burster; the mustard agent projectiles contain 11.7 lbs. of liquid agent and a burster. BGCAPP 155mm projectile CLOSE H CAMPAIGN INITIATED: JUNE 7, 2019; COMPLETED: SEPT. 4, 2021 VX CAMPAIGN INITIATED: JAN. 10, 2021; COMPLETED: MAY 28, 2021 8in 8-inch Projectiles The 8-inch projectile, manufactured in the early to mid-1960s, is used in 8-inch howitzer cannons to deliver and disperse chemical agents. The projectile has a hollow one-piece steel shell that is press fitted with a burster casing. The fuze cavity is sealed with a closing plug and gasket. The GB projectile cavity contains 14.5 lbs. of liquid nerve agent. A lifting lug is installed into the fuze cavity to ease handling and shipping. 8-inch projectile CLOSE CAMPAIGN INITIATED: JAN. 17, 2020 CAMPAIGN COMPLETED: MAY 11, 2020 M55 M55 Rockets The M55 rocket, produced in the late 1950s, provided toxic chemical offensive capability for large target areas at long range. Originally intended for battlefield use, the rocket consists of an aluminum nozzle assembly with spring-loaded fins, a rocket motor and a fused warhead containing chemical agent. Designed to carry approximately 11 lbs. of agent, the rockets remain packed in a cylindrical fiberglass shipping and ring tube. M55 Rockets CLOSE VX CAMPAIGN INITIATED: JULY 9, 2021; COMPLETED: APRIL 19, 2022 GB CAMPAIGN INITIATED: JULY 6, 2022

BGCAPP is safely destroying a stockpile of chemical weapons currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot in Kentucky. Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) *Information as of 17 March 2023

Chemical Weapons Destruction Technologies

Two technologies are used to safely destroy the Blue Grass stockpile.

MAIN PLANT

START DATE: JAN. 17, 2020
STATUS: OPERATIONAL
Neutralization

Neutralization

Neutralization was selected to destroy the nerve agent stockpile at the Blue Grass plant. Extensively trained, knowledgeable, skilled workers and state-of-the-art robotics systems ensure the safe destruction of the stockpile.

Learn More

EXPLOSIVE DESTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

START DATE: JUNE 7, 2019
STATUS:
SDC 1200 – CHANGEOVER
SDC 2000 – OPERATIONAL (START DATE: JAN. 27, 2023)
Static Detonation Chamber technology

Static Detonation Chamber

Static Detonation Chamber units are part of the chemical weapons destruction process at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant. The SDC was chosen to augment the main plant to destroy the entire mustard munition stockpile as well as containerized, drained rocket warheads and overpacked munitions.

Learn More

Upcoming Meetings

Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board Meeting will be held on June 7, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. ET in Rooms A and B of Eastern Kentucky University’s Carl D. Perkins Building on Kit Carson Drive in Richmond. It also will be livestreamed online on the PEO ACWA YouTube and Facebook pages.

For information, please contact the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office at (859) 626‑8944, or bgoutreach@iem.com.

Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board Meeting will be held on Sept. 6, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. ET in Rooms A and B of Eastern Kentucky University’s Carl D. Perkins Building on Kit Carson Drive in Richmond. It also will be livestreamed online on the PEO ACWA YouTube and Facebook pages.

For information, please contact the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office at (859) 626‑8944, or bgoutreach@iem.com.

Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission and Chemical Destruction Community Advisory Board Meeting will be held on Dec. 6, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. ET in Rooms A and B of Eastern Kentucky University’s Carl D. Perkins Building on Kit Carson Drive in Richmond. It also will be livestreamed online on the PEO ACWA YouTube and Facebook pages.

For information, please contact the Blue Grass Chemical Stockpile Outreach Office at (859) 626‑8944, or bgoutreach@iem.com.

Recent BGCAPP News

Workers practice moving skids of mock containerized rocket warheads in the Earth-Covered Magazine Rocket Operations Contingency training space at the Richmond Mall.

Empty Store Now Blue Grass Training Ground

16 March 2023

Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – February 2023

9 March 2023
Vicky J., Container Handling Building/Unpack Area lead operator, reviews a munition image in the Rocket Non-Destructive Evaluation equipment at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant.

Common Technology Making a Difference at Blue Grass

8 March 2023
An Unpack Area worker makes notes in a logbook after reviewing a munition in the Rocket Non-Destructive Evaluation device, which operates like an X-ray system. The system helps detect munitions that might have internal leaks and be unsuitable for destruction in the main plant.

Blue Grass Tops 75% Agent Destroyed

28 February 2023

Recent BGCAPP Videos

March 1 Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission/CDCAB Meeting (2023)

March 1 Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission/CDCAB Meeting (2023)

2 March 2023
Dec. 14 Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission/CDCAB Meeting (2022)

Dec. 14 Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission/CDCAB Meeting (2022)

15 December 2022
Kentucky Chemical Weapons Destruction: 2022 Year in Review

Kentucky Chemical Weapons Destruction: 2022 Year in Review

14 December 2022

Chemical Weapons Destruction in Kentucky: Process Overview

16 November 2022
“We have a great crew. We work well together and we look out for each other.”
Lesly M.
Container Handler Building and Unpack Area Operator
Lesly M.
“It’s interesting work. It’s great that we’re getting these things done.”
Jessica Y.
Control Room Operator
JESSICA Y. CONTROL ROOM OPERATOR
“What motivates me to do my job is seeing things done correctly and as efficiently as possible.”
Kirk F.
Plant Shift Representative
bgcapp-testimony-kirkf-use
“I like working with other scientists, collaborating and developing methods.”
Shanga L.
Laboratory Analyst
bgcapp-testimony-shangal
“I am glad we finished with the VX weapons and look forward to the last campaign as we make the world a safer place.”
Adrienne M.
Container Handler Building and Unpack Area Operator
bgcapp-testimony-adriennem

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