BioDemilitarization of Munitions (BDM)
Program Manager: Dr. Peter Haaland
The BioDemilitarization of Munitions (BDM) Program will focus on rapidly inactivating single and multiple munitions, stacked and haphazardly piled. Unsecured stockpiled munitions represent a significant threat to U.S. troops and allies in battlefields and civilian populated areas. The IED threat to friendly forces typically develops as insurgents acquire stockpiled munitions and deploy devices via suicide bombers, roadside bombs, and other ambush tactics. The capability for rapid, complete inactivation of the explosive components of these ordnances will allow the military to significantly reduce the threat posed by IED manufacturers.
The program will be a dual-phase effort with goals to (1) develop technologies to rapidly inactivate explosive munitions and (2) integrate these technologies into an end-to-end fieldable system. Phase I will aim to inactivate the munition using a combination of perforation and explosive alteration technologies to perforate the munition casing and rapidly alter the enclosed explosive material. Phase II will concentrate on maturing these technologies into a fieldable system. The entire demilitarization system will be self-contained, with minimal logistical requirements and operational support.
