The Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant, or BGCAPP, is safely and efficiently destroying a stockpile of chemical weapons currently in storage at the Blue Grass Army Depot. Utilizing neutralization, the main plant is destroying munitions containing nerve agent. After the neutralization of nerve agent, the resulting product, called hydrolysate, is shipped to an off-site treatment, storage and disposal facility for processing. As part of the rocket campaign, the Rocket Warhead Containerization System assists with destroying drained rocket warheads. Additionally, the Static Detonation Chamber (SDC), an explosive destruction technology, augmented BGCAPP’s neutralization technology to destroy approximately 15,000 155mm mustard projectiles in the Blue Grass stockpile, many of which were found unsuited for processing through the main plant. The current SDC, as well as a larger SDC unit will also augment the main plant to destroy drained rocket warheads and overpacked munitions.
In 2003, the Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass Team was awarded the systems contract to facilitate the pilot plant through all of the project stages – design, construction, systemization, operations and closure. Operations are underway in the main plant. For updates on plant progress, view the BGCAPP Monthly Status Briefings.
The Program Executive Office, Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives, known as PEO ACWA, is the Department of Defense agency responsible for managing the destruction of the Blue Grass chemical weapons stockpile and oversees the Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass contract.
Upon completion of stockpile destruction, the facility will be closed in accordance with all applicable laws, requirements and regulations. The Blue Grass Army Depot will remain open and continue its conventional munition missions.