DTIC ADA528710: SURVIAC Bulletin: Fire Suppression Technology Applied to Chemical/Biological Warfare Protection, Volume 17, Issue 2 - 2001

25 Pages·0.76 MB·English

by  Defense Technical Information Center

Volume XVII Issue 2 - 2001
Cleared for Public Release - Distribution Unlimited
Survivability/Vulnerability Information Analysis Center
SURVIACis a U.S. Department of Defense Information Analysis Center (IAC) sponsored by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Defense Technical Information Center (DTIC).
Fire Suppression Technology Applied To Chemical/Biological
Warfare Protection
In 1999, the Naval Surface Warfare
Center, Dahlgren (NSWCDD)
entered into a Cooperative Research and
Development Agreement (CRADA)
with Cummins Industries, Inc. of
Joshua, Texas. The objective of the
CRADA was to assess the compatibility
of the NSWCDD-developed Quaternary
Ammonium Complex (QAC) decontam-
inant with Cummins Industries’ fire
fighting compressed air foam system
(CAFS). (See SURVIAC Current
Awareness Bulletins Vol XIV, No. 1
and Vol XV, Issue 3, Fall 1999.)
Development of the QAC decontami-
USMC Photo by Cpl. Jason Ingersoll
nant was also sponsored in part by the
The Pentagon in flames just minutes after a hijacked jetliner crashed into
Office of Naval Research and by the
the building on September 11, 2001
Joint Science and Technology Panel for
Chemical and Biological Defense, under the agents. Toxicity tests have shown the product to be
Decontamination Commodity Area of the Joint Service approximately 30 times less toxic than the US Army
Materiel Group. Cummins Industries owns the original standard, DS2. The new product is environmentally
US Patents for the invention of CAFS. friendly and the product itself is nonflammable. It is
easily removed from surfaces with water.
QAC/CAFS Technology The QAC decontaminant agent potentially may be used
with a compressed air foam system (CAFS) for sup-
The QAC decontaminant has the ability to neutralize pression of Class A and B of fires. CAFS foam requires
chemical and biological agents without the severe disad- less water to control comparable fires, thus there is less
vantages of the currently used decontaminants, namely runoff and a greater coverage for a given on-board
DS2 and the hypochlorites. The technology is based capacity. The CAFS foam generating method works
on an amino-alcohol solvent system. The decontami- with any environmentally friendly foaming agent and
nant has been shown to be noncorrosive and compati- makes a smaller celled, more effective fire extinguishing
ble with materials damaged by the currently used foam blanket than the most commonly used military
decontaminants (for example, butyl rubber gloves and foaming agent aqueous fine film foam (AFFF) which is
painted surfaces) while still neutralizing the chemical more expensive and contains an environmentally haz-
Fire Suppression-Chem/Bio continued on page 6
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1. REPORT DATE 3. DATES COVERED
2001 2. REPORT TYPE 00-00-2001 to 00-00-2001
4. TITLE AND SUBTITLE 5a. CONTRACT NUMBER
SURVIAC Bulletin: Fire Suppression Technology Applied to
5b. GRANT NUMBER
Chemical/Biological Warfare Protection, Volume 17, Issue 2 - 2001
5c. PROGRAM ELEMENT NUMBER
6. AUTHOR(S) 5d. PROJECT NUMBER
5e. TASK NUMBER
5f. WORK UNIT NUMBER
7. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 8. PERFORMING ORGANIZATION
JAS Program Office,200 12th Street South,Crystal Gateway #4, Suite REPORT NUMBER
1103,Arlington,VA,22202
9. SPONSORING/MONITORING AGENCY NAME(S) AND ADDRESS(ES) 10. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S ACRONYM(S)
11. SPONSOR/MONITOR’S REPORT
NUMBER(S)
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Approved for public release; distribution unlimited
13. SUPPLEMENTARY NOTES
14. ABSTRACT

15. SUBJECT TERMS
16. SECURITY CLASSIFICATION OF: 17. LIMITATION OF 18. NUMBER 19a. NAME OF
ABSTRACT OF PAGES RESPONSIBLE PERSON
a. REPORT b. ABSTRACT c. THIS PAGE Same as 24
unclassified unclassified unclassified Report (SAR)
Standard Form 298 (Rev. 8-98)
Prescribed by ANSI Std Z39-18
SURVIAC
Points of Contact
In This Issue:
Com: [phone],
On the Cover: Fire Suppression Technology Applied To DSN: 785-4840
Chemical/Biological Warfare Protection . . . . . . . . . . . .1 Fax: [phone]
Space Survivability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .3
Kevin Crosthwaite
SURVIAC Director (ext. 279)
Component Vulnerability Analysis Archive . . . . . . . . .5
E-mail: [email protected]
State-of-the-Art Report on Munition Response . . . . . . .9 Donna Egner
SURVIAC Deputy Director (ext. 282)
ESAMS/ECAT . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .10 E-mail: [email protected]
Gerald Bennett
2001 SURVIAC Liaison Workshop Held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Survivability Analyst (ext. 281)
E-mail: [email protected]
Survivability of a Different Kind . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Barry Vincent
SURVIACFire Suppression Efforts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Model Manager (ext. 283)
Com: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected]
SURVIAC Employee Receives Award. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
Mike Bennett
Model Spotlight: RADGUNS 2.3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Model Manager
Com: [phone]
JMUM 2001 Held . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 E-mail: [email protected]
Jon Carroll
SURVIAC Product Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Researcher (ext. 272)
E-mail: [email protected]
SURVIACModel Availability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21
Theron Niekamp
Computer Services (ext. 278)
Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
E-mail: [email protected]
Information Request . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24 Jason Burden
Computer Services (ext. 273)
E-mail: [email protected]
Geri Bowling
Model Administrator (ext. 285)
E-mail: [email protected]
A.J. Brown
Security Specialist (ext. 211)
SURVIAC Bulletin Vol XVII Issue 2
E-mail: [email protected]
SURVIAC, a DoD Information Analysis Center (IAC), is administratively
managed by the Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA), Defense Linda Ryan
Technical Information Center (DTIC), under the DoD IAC Program. SURVIAC SURVIAC Bulletin (ext. 208)
is sponsored by the Joint Technical Coordinating Groups on Aircraft E-mail: [email protected]
Survivability (JTCG/AS) and for Munitions Effectiveness (JTCG/ME). SURVI-
AC is operated by Booz·Allen & Hamilton Inc. The Contracting Officers
Technical Representative (COTR) for the Center is Mr. Martin L. Lentz, 46
OG/OGM/OL-AC, 2700 D Street, Bldg. 1661, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
45433-7605. He may be reached at DSN 785-6302 or [phone].
Inquiries about SURVIAC's capabilities, products and services, or com-
ments regarding this publication may be addressed to:
46 OG/OGM/OL-AC/SURVIAC
2700 D St., Building 1661 Visit our web site !
Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio 45433-7605
http://iac.dtic.mil/surviac
Com: [phone], DSN: 785-4840
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] URL: http://iac.dtic.mil/surviac
Page 2
Space Survivability
T
he third annual Space & Air Kevin also mentioned that survivability of
Protection Workshop was held in spacecraft also falls under the SURVIAC
Albuquerque, New Mexico at charter, however he did acknowledge that
Kirkland AFB on 29-30 August 2001. The only a little work had been done in this
workshop provided an excellent forum for area.
information exchange between the space
and aircraft communities. Presentations SURVIAC responds to thousands of
S
were shared on respective problems, inquiries related to survivability each year.
threats, methodologies, technologies and They distribute hundreds of standardized
approaches that each community uses to products that they have prepared. SURVI- p
enhance their respective survivability of AC also distributes a set of government
their systems. One of the air vehicle sur- approved models and provides user sup- a
vivability assets that was presented to the port and training. They also assist the
c
space community was the support that an model manager to track changes and main-
Information Analysis Center, IAC, organi- tain configuration control. SURVIAC has
e
zation can do. an active outreach program with a newslet-
ter, frequent conferences, workshop dis-

plays, and presentations. SURVIAC has a
What Is An IAC? large and successful TAT program. The SS
TAT funding actually dwarfs the “core”
Kevin Crosthwaite, the director of the DTIC funding. The TATs enable SURVI- u
Survivability/Vulnerability Information AC staff to stay on the cutting edge of
Analysis Center, SURVIAC, started out by analysis, testing, and technology develop- r
giving an overview of what an IAC is and ments in their area.
v
does. There are currently 13 IACs that
serve various technical specialties. Each of SURVIAC maintains a large reference
i
these IACs is charged with gathering scien- library for automated searches. There is
v
tific technical Information, STI, which is also the repository for data on combat inci-
relevant to their respective technical field. dents as well as test results. This informa- a
Upon data collection, the IAC then tion resource is readily available to any
processes, analyzes and disseminates the requestor in the DoD or a supporting con- b
data. These 13 IACs are all directed and tractor. Kevin gave examples of some key
funded through the Defense Technical TATs that spanned live fire testing, analy- i
Information Center, DTIC. The IACs are sis, and quick reaction technical support. l
staffed and operated by contractors under i
a DTIC contract. They are individually SURVIAC is sponsored by the Joint t
sponsored by their respective technical Technical Coordinating Group for Aircraft
y
communities. Each IAC can readily add Survivability, JTCG/AS and the Joint
on to their contract related Technical Area Technical Coordinating Group for
Tasks, TATs, to support specific work for Munitions Effectiveness, JTCG/ME. The
other agencies. main SURVIAC office is located on
Wright-Patterson AFB, near Dayton, Ohio.
Kevin then discussed SURVIAC as an With the active support of the sponsoring
example of what an IAC can do to support communities, SURVIAC has grown into a
a technical community. SURVIAC’s tech- central integral role within the survivability
nical area encompasses survivability and and lethality communities.
weapon lethality. Aircraft, tanks, and ships
Space Survivability continued on page 5
are included within the SURVIAC scope.
Page 3
Component Vulnerability Analysis Archive (CVAA)
Acritical input to a non-nuclear vulnerability analysis involves making estimates of the
response of critical components to threat damage mechanisms. The response of a
component to a particular damage mechanism is generally expressed in terms of a
Probability of Damage or Dysfunction given a Hit (Pd/h or Pcd/h). This factor represents
the level of damage required so that the component can no longer perform its design func-
tion. The Pcd/h is strictly a function of the component design, and therefore can be deter-
mined independently of how it is installed or integrated into a particular weapon system. To
determine if a component is no longer functional, i.e. “killed”, the level of damage must be
correlated with required capability. This correlation is accomplished through the Probability
of Kill given Damage (Pk/d). Thus the component Probability of Kill given a Hit (Pk/h) is
the product of Pcd/h and Pk/d. For example, a Pcd/h function might describe the proba-
bility of achieving a certain leak rate given a puncture of an actuator. The corresponding
Pk/d would vary from system to system depending on size of hydraulic reservoirs, reservoir
sensing/shutoff valves, kill level being assessed, etc.
The JTCG/ME and the JTCG/AS jointly initiated the Joint Component Vulnerability
Program (JCVP). Both organizations recognized that probably the most critical inputs to a
vulnerability assessment for a ground or aerial target were estimates of the Probabilities of
Component Damage or Dysfunction (Pd/h or Pcd/h) given a Hit. Experienced analysts
using a mix of ballistic test data, accident data, component failure modes and effects analysis,
A
and engineering judgment typically make these estimates. Since they form the core of every
vulnerability analysis it was felt to be a high priority effort to collect, evaluate, document, and
A
archive the currently available data sets and methodologies.
V
The primary missions of the JCVP are (1) to coordinate development/documentation of the
methodologies for making consistent engineering level estimates of component Pcd/h, (2) to
C
standardize Pcd/h analysis generation and documentation practices, and (3) to archive sup-
porting data and methodologies. The major functions of the JCVP were broken out and
assigned to working groups. These working groups are the Archive and Structure Team, the
Data Review and Acceptance Team, the Pcd/h Code Team, and the Data and Methodology
Team. The Data and Methodology Team has been assigned the task of gathering existing
methodologies and data and planning a long-term methodology improvement program. As
part of this effort the Component Vulnerability Analysis Archive (CVAA) has been devel-
oped as the repository for methodologies and component vulnerability and test data. The
CVAA has been developed, documented, and is being populated with component vulnera-
bility analysis methodologies and the supporting vulnerability, ballistic test, and combat data.
The CVAA is contained on a CD ROM. It is structured so that the existing database may
be accessed, searched and used or a local version can be created and data added. This
requires a personal web browser. After the CVAA is opened a screen appears.
The “Members” header accesses a listing of the current JCVP DoD and contractor mem-
bers. The “Documentation” header accesses the CVAA program documentation while the
“Status” header accesses JCVP Working Group minutes. The “Tools” header accesses
some component vulnerability analysis tools and the “Related Data” lists some relevant data-
bases such as Joint Live Fire. The heart of the program, the CVAA database is accessed
through the “Archive” header.
Page 4
The database is divided into two branches or “Systems” which contain descriptions and vul-
nerability analysis references for aircraft (in-flight and parked), ground vehicles, ground
structures and ships and “Components” which contains vulnerability data, analysis tech-
niques, supporting references and test data.
The CVAA Version 5.0 is now ready for release and a Workshop is planned. Future plans
for CVAA include insertion into SURVIAC after the Workshop, yearly users group meet-
ings and continued addition of component vulnerability data, analysis techniques and sup-
porting test and combat data. Other specific systems information will also be added and the
documentation upgraded. Inputs from users will also be considered for inclusion in CVAA.
For more information, please contact Mr. Gerald Bennett
Com: [phone] X281
DSN: 785-4840
E-mail: [email protected]
THE CVAA WORKSHOP HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED FOR
DECEMBER 11, 2001
Space Survivability continued on from 3
establish and host training courses for
What a Space IAC Could Do workshops on particular topics of hot
interest.
Kevin then continued by projecting what
the IAC can do for space. An IAC would Regarding the status of a space related
be a common data collection point. IAC, Kevin mentioned that there has been
Examples of data that could be held an effort to lay the groundwork for a SPA-
include satellite orbital data, launch sched- CIAC. In the meantime SURVIAC does
ules and payloads, space debris distribution have a charter for spacecraft survivability.
and size, and information on spacecraft Whatever evolves as a space IAC a key
threats from manmade threats to the envi- issue will be the sponsorship. The sponsor
ronment. Once the common data collec- needs to provide infrastructure, financial
tion point is established, the IAC becomes support and direction. That direction will
a natural distribution point. Users from dictate how broad or narrow a charter the
throughout the space community could IAC will work towards. Another key issue
come to the IAC to answer their data will be how to structure the IAC to allow
needs as a one-stop shop. Data that is dis- commercial access to the data. This is
tributed could be standardized for ease in essential since a majority of satellites are
communication throughout the communi- now operated by commercial entities.
ty. As the IAC develops a list of key users, Once these issues are resolved, then the
the IAC could also serve as a central notifi- IAC can make strides to build its data col-
cation point to get the word out quickly to lection, model suite, and subject matter
the community. The IAC could also dis- expert contacts. A space related IAC
tribute models that the community selects would surely then grow into an integral
to standardize around. productive part of the space community
just as other IACs have done.
The IAC would build a subject matter
expert database for quick referrals of For more information on Space Survivability,
thorny technical questions. The IAC could please contact Kevin Crosthwaite, SURVIAC
also help to promote space community Com: [phone],
events - symposia, new technology discov- DSN:785-4840
eries, and report findings. They could also E-mail: [email protected]
Page 5
Fire Suppression-Chem/Bio continued from page 1
·
ardous product. The system offers an More uniform application of decontami-
o
emergency response vehicle the dual capa- nation products,
bility to extinguish fires more effectively
i ·
and to neutralize toxic products such as Remediates a broad class of pesticides
B
stored chemicals and terrorist for environmental cleanup,
chemical/biological agents, and possibly
/ even reduce the toxic by-products pro- · Contains no volatile organic, halogenat-
duced by fire and spread by smoke and ed, or fluorinated compounds,
m
water run-off. It is an integrated
·
CAFS/QAC decontaminant system that Potentially effective fire fighting foam
e provides emergency responders with effec- for Class A (ordinary combustibles) and
tive, efficient, and environment-friendly Class B ( burning liquids) fires which can
h capabilities. be used to replace the harmful AFFF prod-
ucts,
CC Advantages and benefits of the
·
QAC/CAFS technology include the fol- Limits collateral damage from fluid run-
lowing: off, particulate matter, and vapor escape

from fire fighting activity.
- ·
Neutralizes chemical/biological acciden-
tal discharges or terrorist-type releases,

DoD Needs
n ·
Can be used before exposure to toxic
products to prevent contamination, The QAC/CAFS technology addresses a
o
number of DoD needs. First among these
·
Highly effective against biological agents is the need for a chemical/biological agent
i
including spores, decontaminant that is noncorrosive, non-
s
toxic, nonflammable and environmentally
·
Non-corrosive and environmentally friendly. Current decontaminants can dam-
s
friendly, age a variety of materials and pose serious
environmental and health hazards. The
e
·
Fills voids and hard to reach areas that QAC/CAFS technology is effective against
r are inaccessible to spray or brush applica- all agents, stable in storage, usable on all
tions, surfaces and materials, and reduces trans-
p
port, storage and use issues associated with
·
Covers large areas of contamination with current decontaminants. In addition, the
p
long hose lines and minimum manpower, QAC/CAFS foam is well suited for aerial
application. This feature will allow for
u ·
Provides a method to apply the deconta- rapid intervention in the event of an
mination products from a safe stand-off aerosol release (i.e., from a crop duster air-
SS
position, craft). In the event that the QAC/CAFS
foam is used in this manner, a secondary
·
Adheres to non-horizontal surfaces, benefit of the air drop is that the “hot
zone” will be visually marked with the
e
·
Visual confirmation of treated areas, foam. This will be useful information for
r any ground personnel.
·
Reduces collateral contamination from
i
runoff, Another need addressed by the
F
QAC/CAFS technology includes the
·
High coverage/volume ratio with foam, growth of mildew, fungus, and bacteria on
USAF Photo by SRA Jeremy Smith
Page 6
interior surfaces of operational helicopters. ical storage activities. The decontamination
This is an extensive Navy problem, particu- process for spent carbon is highly regulated
F
larly with aging aircraft. Interior aircraft and requires incineration and land disposal
surfaces are often inaccessible for cleaning at considerable cost. Current technologies
i
and removal of these organic contaminants for decontamination, such as DS2 (caustic)
r
results in significant aircraft down-time. and Super Tropical Bleach (corrosive),
Standard cleaning methods are not effec- have been shown to cause damage, includ- e
tive. Mildew, fungus, and bacteria are sus- ing rendering completely unusable, some
pected of deteriorating protective paint weapon system parts and equipment (e.g.,
films, promoting corrosion, and causing an generators) not coated in a chemical agent
SS
unhealthy atmosphere for flight crews. resistive coating (CARC). The
CAFS decontaminate foam can be forced QAC/CAFS technology provides an alter-
u
into small openings to fill voids from top native, more environmentally-friendly,
to bottom with the solution. operationally-acceptable replacement for
p
current decontamination technologies,
The QAC/CAFS technology provides the which will help reduce equipment repair
p
capability for large area decontamination and replacement costs.
and can be used before exposure to toxic
r
products in order to prevent contamina- From the pollution prevention perspective,
tion. QAC/CAFS can also be adapted to the technology offers a more environmen- e
help meet other defense requirements, such tally suitable process for decontamination
s
as thermal protection from radiation and of materials and equipment. Residuals
camouflage from heat seeking weapons. from cleaning with this technology would
s
be less toxic and require less treatment.
The technology is also less corrosive than
i
QAC/CAFS Technology Can existing technologies and would cause less
o
Reduce Decontamination Costs damage to equipment, thereby reducing
replacement and maintenance costs.
n
The technology has the potential for cost
savings in a variety of areas, including The technology has similar benefits for

Nuclear, Biological and Chemical (NBC) environmental restoration of soils and
decontamination techniques available for debris contaminated with chemical and -
weapons systems and equipment, pollution biological agents. One recent application

prevention, and environmental restoration. of the CAFS system was as a bioremedia-
Existing procedures for the decontamina- tion system to apply oil eating microbes to CC
tion of chemical protective masks, protec- a gasoline pipeline release in Texas. The
tive clothing and other items of equipment CAFS 230 Unit was used to apply 4,000 h
are inefficient and fail to remove all traces gallons of microbe foam concentrate to
of deadly chemical agents. These agents remediate 82,000 gallons of gasoline e
permeate into the materials they contact released from the ruptured pipeline. The
and, unless completely removed, continue gasoline spill covered 15 acres. Any forest m
to off-gas into the environment even after animal within 3 feet of the ground died
decontamination. In addition, the Army from the vapors.
uses wet chemistry (bubbler) technologies /
to detect and monitor the presence of To address this leakage problem, the entire
B
chemical agents. These technologies result spill area was covered with approximately 4
in costly processing and disposal of the inches of hydrocarbon eating microbe
i
chemistry components (annual costs for foam using a thousand-foot long hose lay.
o
handling, processing and disposal are esti- The foam blanket sealed the vapors and
mated at $2M). Further, the Army uses
Fire Suppression-Chem/Bio continued on page 8
many carbon filtration systems in its chem-
Page 7
o
i
B
CAFS
Bioremediation
/
Application
m
e
h
·
CC Fire Suppression-Chem/Bio continued from page 7 The QAC/CAFS equipment can be
stopped the problem. Before the CAFS added onto existing fire fighting vehicles to
decontamination, the bodies of the dead upgrade their capability and requires mini-

animals were decaying and emitting a foul mum training.
-
oder. Their skin was polluted with the
·
benzene from the fuel. This made the QAC/CAFS permits sub-surface injec-

scavengers eat contaminated food. After tion of decontamination products to effi-
n
the CAFS decontamination, there was no ciently cleanup difficult environmental
odor except the light perfume in the foam. projects.
o
In addition, all the dead animals were
washed clean. This was a great improve-
i
ment. In addition, there was no run-off of Potential Commercial Uses
s
the CAFS foam which is one of the advan-
tages of its utilization. Potential commercial uses of the
s
QAC/CAFS technology include the fol-
The alternative to using the CAFS biore- lowing:
e
mediation process for this incident was to
·
r have the 15 acres of forested land dug up Cleaning material/equipment contami-
and transported to a licensed landfill that nated with chemical or biological agents,
p
could accept the polluted soil. This would
·
have been cost prohibitive and would only Remediation of contaminated soil/water,
p
have move the contaminated soil from one
·
location to another. Response by local/municipal hazardous
u
waste response teams,
Other cost saving features include:
SS ·
Response by SWAT teams to
·
The QAC/CAFS method of generating chemical/biological threats,
foam requires half as much foaming agent
·
to produce twice as much dense vapor Fighting fires that involve chemical and
e
sealing foam and has been proven to extin- biological materials, and
r guish more fire in less time than present
·
military foam systems. A cleaning product for home use.
i
F ·
The QAC/CAFS technology uses less For more information, please contact
expensive and more environmentally Matt Kolleck, [phone] or
friendly foaming agents. E-mail: [email protected]
Page 8
State-of-the-Art Report on Munition Response
The SURVIAC has recently com-
pleted a State-of-the-Art Report
(SOAR) on the reaction of missile
M
warheads, bombs, and propellants to
energetic stimuli. The goal of this
work was to consolidate and summa-
u
rize relevant information from past
and current studies, gain a better
n
understanding of munition response
phenomena, and provide recommen-
i
dations for future efforts to reduce
t
the vulnerability of U.S. systems and
improve the lethality of our weapons found to be well understood, but more i
against opposing munitions-carrying plat- work is needed in subdetonation-level initi- o
forms. ation/propagation and in the response of
operational and developmental munitions n
Historically, munitions have been a two- to ballistic impact.
edged sword in that they contribute to the
means by which combat vehicles accom- The section on predictive methodology
RR
plish their mission, but at the great risk of and modeling discusses (by Service and by
reacting to hostile threat stimuli and dam- system type) practices and models currently
e
aging/destroying the air, land, or sea sys- in use as well those in development.
tems that carry the munitions. From a sur- Empirically based efforts to predict and
s
vivability standpoint, then, the challenge is model munition response were found to be
to understand the physical nature of the the most successful. Some limitations were
p
reaction, identify the probabilities of reac- found in the reliability of selected method-
tion for given threats, and determine possi- ologies beyond the specific test cases used
o
ble means to prevent or mitigate the effect to develop them, in the modeling of ballis-
on the host platform. tic impact on munitions (especially in the
n
The 1967 incident on the USS Forrestal, in which U.S. senator s
and presidential candidate John McCain was injured, illustrates
e
the importance of understanding munition response.

The SOAR addresses these issues in four area of less complete and immediate reac-
SS
sections: (1) theoretical understanding of tions), and in the methods used to project
the hazard, (2) predictive methodology and response predictions into vehicle vulnera-
O
modeling, (3) design and protective meas- bility estimates.
ures, and (4) testing and combat data.
In the area of design and protective meas- A
Included in the theoretical discussion is an ures, two principal avenues for reducing
identification of the different types of reac- vehicle vulnerability to munition response R
tions, as defined in MIL-STD-2105B (i.e., are addressed: (1) munitions desensitiza-
detonation, partial detonation, deflagration, tion and (2) damage mitigation. The
and burning); the physics of explosive Department of Defense’s Insensitive
behavior; and the fundamentals of the initi- Munitions (IM) Program was found to
ation and propagation of detonation. The have made significant progress in desensi-
basic theory of explosive behavior was
Munition Response SOAR continued on page 22
Page 9