Ammunition Test

The Cardinal Rule

When handling or conducting operations with munitions remember the cardinal rule:

“Expose the MINIMUM number of people,

to the MINIMUM amount of explosives,

for the MINIMUM amount of time

consistent with safe and efficient operations.”

Munition

a device with explosives; propellants; or chemical, biological, radiological,

or nuclear materiel for use in operations including demolitions (JP 3-42)

Military Munition

all ammunition products and components produced for or used by the armed forces for national defense and security, including ammunition products or components under control of the Department of Defense, Coast Guard, Department of Energy, and the National Guard

Detonation

EX: TNT

-High Explosive

-Supersonic Shockwave

-Extensive Fragmentation

Deflagration

EX: Gas

-Rapid Burn

-Subsonic blast wave

-Typical of Propellants/Low Explosives

Net Explosive Weight (NEW) definition

-Total amount of energetic material contained in a single item expressed in terms of comparable weight of TNT

Why is NEW important

-Indicates how far a potential explosive effect will reach if an item detonates

Where do you find information about the UN Hazard Class or Compatibility

Group for a DODIC?

Yellow Book

Maximum Credible Event

-Most severe accidental explosion, fire, or agent release that is likely to occur from a given quantity and disposition of ammunition and explosives.

-Expressed in terms of Net Explosive Weight (NEW).

Quanity Distance (QD)

Distance between the Potential Explosion Site (PES) and the

Exposed Site (ES)

Exposed Site

An area that could be affected by the blast overpressure, blast fragmentation, and heat if an explosion was to occure at the potential explosion site.

Purpose of QD

-Protection of people and property

-Reduction of explosive hazards or explosive chain reactions

-Reduction of loss of military assets

Primary Hazards Neutralized by QD

-Blast Overpressure (Shock Wave)

-Blast Fragmentation

-Fire and excessive heat from fire

Two rates of supply are used in munitions control procedures

• Required Supply Rate (RSR)

• Controlled Supply Rate (CSR)

Required Supply Rate (RSR) Definition

Estimated amount of ammunition needed to sustain tactical operations,

without ammunition expenditure restrictions, over a specified time

period.

Controlled Supply Rate (CSR) Definition

Rate of ammunition that can be supported, considering availability,

facilities, and transportation.

Based on the RSR and CSR, why/why not do you anticipate a shortfall?

• Shortfall = RSR exceeds the CSR & O/H munitions

• No Shortfall = RSR does not exceed the CSR & O/H munitions

How can you mitigate shortfalls caused by a CSR?

Mitigate shortfalls by crossloading throughout the unit or utilizing alternative DODIC

Running estimates for munitions operations should minimally include?

• Ammunition unit task organization and capabilities.

• Supported unit task organization.

• Distance between units, major nodes, and planned support locations.

• Primary, alternate, contingency, and emergency method of distribution.

• Ammunition basic load and combat loads.

• Available ammunition loads and planned loads (Sustainment Loads; Combat Configured Load, Mission Configured Load; Prepositioned Stocks).

• Applicable Munition Control Procedures: Required Supply Rate (RSR) and Controlled Supply Rate (CSR).

Three Ammunition Support Activities (ASA)

• Ammunition Supply Point (ASP)

• Modular Ammunition Transfer Point (MATP)

• Ammunition Transfer Holding Point (ATHP)

ASP Info

Primary ASA at echelons above the brigade, located at operational level of sustainment. Can be permanent/semi-permanent and will configure loads for the CCLs or MCLs

Ammunition Supply Point (ASP) is operated by

Modular Ammunition/Ordnance Companies

Modular Ammunition Transfer Point (MATP) is operated by

BSB Distribution Companies for ABCT, IBCT, SBCT, and MDTF

MATP Info

Most forward operating location; located at the Tactical level of sustainment. Small, temporary hold areas to facilitate the reciept and transfer of ammunition from echelons above brigade ASAs to units within brigade, not stockpile.

Ammunition Transfer Holding Point (ATHP) is operated by

BSB Distribution Companies for CAB and functional brigades

ATHP Info

Simular to MATP, but found in functional areas such as the FA or CAB. Can be ran by distribution Co or HSC.