History
Preface
Introduction
What is an “Insensitive Munition” and where did the term originate?
The origin of the Insensitive Munition concept
Tests to study the detonability of solid rocket propellants
The introduction of castable plastic bonded explosives, PBX’s, in Navy munitions
However, accidents, fires, and enemy strikes happen!
The USS ORISKANY (CVA-34) fire and munition explosions
The USS FORRESTAL (CVA-59) fire and munition explosions
The USS ENTERPRISE (CVAN-65) fire and munition explosions
The ammunition ship SS BADGER STATE fire and munition explosions
In-bore premature detonation of projectiles in Navy large caliber guns
Interest in using new explosives to reduce the sensitivity of munitions
Railroad train fires and munition explosions
An opportunity to demonstrate the advantages of the new explosives technology
NAVY formalizes a program to reduce the sensitivity of naval ordnance
The “Bureaucracy” at work
Department of Energy and Department of Defense Insensitive High Explosives and Propellants (IHEP) study
VAdm. Bulkeley concerned the vulnerability of magazines on surface ships
Navy issues an Operational Requirement (OR) for insensitive high explosives
USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) flight deck fire and munition explosions
Falkland war and the loss of British ships sparks a renewed interest in insensitive ordnance
The U.S. Navy’s Insensitive Munitions program
CNO Executive Board (CEB) briefing on the sensitivity of Navy munitions
Implementing the CNO Executive Board’s (CEB) decision memorandum
The technical requirements for insensitive munitions
U.S. Allies advised of the Navy Insensitive Munition policy
NAVSEA IM Management organization defined
Joint service Insensitive Munition policy
Strike weapons and IM master plans published
Army and Air Force Insensitive Munition programs
Revision of the Navy Insensitive Munition policy
NATO Insensitive Munitions Information Center (NIMIC) formed
Navy decision on munitions retrofit to meet the Insensitive Munition requirements
Navy goal of complete transition to Insensitive Munitions by 1995 revised
International interest in Insensitive Munitions
U.S. Navy Strike Warfare Office questions the Insensitive Munition policy
U.S. Navy builds a facility to load PBX’s into General Purpose bombs
Third revision of the Navy Insensitive Munitions Policy and the U.S. military standard defining the Insensitive Munitions Requirements
France issues an Insensitive Munitions policy and requirements document
U.S. Navy Insensitive Munitions program progress
In conclusion
Annex 1.CVNX Study Group memorandum
Annex 2.Admiral Bulkeley’s “Insensitive Ordnance” memo to the ViceChief of Naval Operations, VCNO
Annex 3Joint Oversight Council Memorandum on Insensitive Munitions Certification Policy of 2 July 2004
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The History of Insensitive Munitions
by Raymond L Beauregard
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For more information, please contact:
Raymond L Beauregard
rlbasc@aol.com