Research Needs and Plan for Energetic Material Hazard Mitigationt

Abstract

The tri-service Energetic Material Hazard Initiation Assessment Team (EMHIAT) has formulated a five-year research and technology plan to address major deficiencies and needs in the understanding of critical or failure diameter, shock to detonation transition,deflagration to detonation transition, delayed detonation, thermal ignition and response, and initiation via friction,impact, and electrostatic discharge. The study utilized detailed interactions with the solid rocket propulsion industry, with the DoE contractor laboratories, and a review of on-going work in the DoD laboratories responsible for rocket and gun propellants, and explosives. In this paper specific needs are itemized for the eight technical areas listed above, and the Long-Range Plan for hazard mitigation is summarized; the needs and plan elements are organized to correspond to the recent DoD Insensitive Munitions policy.