Huntsville Center supports the Defense Ammunition Center-Technology Directorate in the management of demilitarization research and development initiatives for the Army's conventional ammunition and Joint Service large rocket motors.
The Large Rocket Motor Demilitarization and Explosive Demilitarization Technology (LRMD/EDT) Program is dedicated to the development of safe, efficient and environmentally acceptable processes for the resource recovery and recycling or disposition of strategic, tactical and conventional munitions including explosives and rocket motors. This program emphasizes the pursuit of environmentally compliant technologies to enhance existing methods.
The LRMD/EDT Program developed a model which integrates the variables in the demil program to produce an optimal long-range demil plan within sets of constraints. Using the input data as well as any imposed constraints, the model develops an optimal demil workload program for any number of years from one to 10. The model also provides a wide range of run-associated data, such as remaining inventory by type of ammunition, tonnage accomplished as compared to any specified goal, etc. But perhaps more importantly, the model can be used to identify shortfalls (or overages) in demil capacity, highlight demil technology requirements and indicate those demil processes or capabilities that are not economically viable.
The Munitions Items Disposition Action System (MIDAS) is another project directed by the LRMD/EDT Program. MIDAS is designed to systematically characterize all munitions constituency information. The program will identify existing capabilities for resource recovery and recycling of unwanted munitions and provide ammunition demil managers with a tool for optimizing demil dollars. MIDAS will ultimately provide constituent and waste characterization data for environmental permit applications. Additional efforts include projects to convert propellant to fertilizer, munitions analytical compliance system, automated tactical ammunition classification system and conventional munitions demilitarization support.