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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: UPCOMING 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: UPCOMING

BGCAPP aerial image 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 1 July 2022. Plant at a Glance

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: CHANGEOVER
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 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 Sept. 14, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. EDT.

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. 14, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. EST.

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

Recent BGCAPP News

Workers in protective suits make updates to the Punch and Drain Station in the Munitions Demilitarization Building at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant in preparation for upcoming GB nerve agent M55 rocket destruction. This automated system will punch holes in the rocket warheads and drain them of their chemical agent. (Portions of this photograph have been blurred in accordance with Department of Defense guidelines.)

Rocket Destruction Efficiencies Applied for Final Destruction Campaign

30 June 2022
Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – June 2022

Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – June 2022

30 June 2022
The official party sits on stage during introductions provided by the facilitator for the Elimination of All VX Nerve Agent Weapons in the U.S. Stockpile event in Richmond, Kentucky, June 8.

Kentucky Event Highlights End of VX Weapons in U.S.

21 June 2022
Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – May 2022

Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Monthly Recap – May 2022

31 May 2022

Recent BGCAPP Videos

June 8 Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission/CDCAB Meeting (2022)

June 8 Kentucky Chemical Demilitarization Citizens’ Advisory Commission/CDCAB Meeting (2022)

10 June 2022
June 8 Elimination of All VX Nerve Agent Weapons in the U.S. Stockpile Event

June 8 Elimination of All VX Nerve Agent Weapons in the U.S. Stockpile Event

9 June 2022
Blue Grass Plant Completes VX Rocket Destruction Campaign

Blue Grass Plant Completes VX Rocket Destruction Campaign

2 May 2022
In May 2021, the last nerve agent projectile was destroyed at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP).

Projectile Line Undergoes Decontamination

1 April 2022
“I like the brother’s keeper program here. It’s motivating to know that everyone here is looking out for you and wants to put you in a position to succeed.”
Trakelia H.
Unpack Area Operator
bgcapp-testimony-trakeliah
“We have a hardworking crew. They are a great team.”
Dean C.
Container Handling Building and Unpack Area Supervisor
bgcapp-testimony-deanc
“I love being here and being a part of this project. I love every minute of it.”
Melissa B.
Shift Clerk
bgcapp-testimony-melissab

“I think it is very interesting to work here. I am making the world a better place for my granddaughter.”

Tammy J.
Container Handling Building and Unpack Area Operator
bgapp-testimony-tammyj
“It’s a wonderful thing, taking part in all this.”
Yordan M.
Demilitarization Protective Ensemble Support Area Operator
bgcapp-testimony-yordanm

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