Ammunition security
The ammunition safety is a key issue when dealing with ammunition . Because of the dangers associated with handling and using the ammunition, a redundant safety system is generally used. In addition to organizational measures such as regular testing and surveillance, special buildings are required to protect ammunition and for environmental measures.
However, technical security is an essential safety factor. The safety of ammunition must be guaranteed from production to consumption or disposal. Under certain circumstances, a sharp shot or ignition is the only sensible way of disposal. The safe handling of ammunition excludes certain substances such as banned phthalates from being used in ammunition.
Ammunition approval
The approval of ammunition in Germany is carried out by examination of the fire authorities for ammunition lots (production batches) up to a maximum of 3000 cartridges.
Security systems
Ammunition safety
Ammunition-related safety is the situation in which at a given location under normal operating conditions and the application of safety-related measures when handling ammunition, damage caused by undesired ammunition-specific effects can be excluded or reasonably low.
The security system is the entirety of the security devices contained in an ammunition. Safety devices are the functional unit that secures an ammunition component against unintentional triggering and unlocks it at the desired time.
Construction security
Construction safety of ammunition is the state of ammunition achieved through constructive measures, which puts the probability of an unforeseen event with ammunition below a limit value under specified handling conditions.
Detonator safety
Detonator safety is a detonator feature that ensures that if the detonator is unintentionally triggered, a subsequent detonating chain element or the active charge cannot be triggered.
Detonator safety is achieved by constructively provided ignition chain interruption, such as
- swinging the detonator carrier with detonator out of the functional line or
- blocking the ignition channel behind the detonator ( locking slide ).
Air route security
Air route safety is the design-related safety of grenades , projectiles , bombs , rockets , guided missiles and similarly used ammunition, as well as of submunition against the release of their effective charge between the point of departure and a certain point of the flight route. Air route security includes
- Front pipe safety (for gun-related ammunition),
- Apron security (for missiles and guided missiles),
- Fall safety (in the case of bombs).
Handling safety
Handling safety of ammunition is the safety of ammunition against unwanted effects of its "dangerous substances" when properly handled, taking into account the effects caused by the handling. The term handling safety also includes safety against unwanted effects caused by confusing the installation or rotation direction during handling.
Transport security
Transport safety of ammunition is the safety of ammunition against the unwanted effects of its dangerous substances when properly transported and handled, taking into account the transport-related stresses and influences.
Usage security
Safety in use of ammunition is the state achieved through safety measures in which the probability of an unforeseen event with ammunition is below a limit value if the ammunition is used as intended.
Function release
The triggering of the function ensures that the ammunition works in the intended manner and at the selected time.
The function of an artillery fuse is described as an example: The artillery fuse is a head fuse that should only ignite when it hits a target. Until then, however, it should be safe to handle and transport. The detonator should also not go off if it falls from a truck, is hit by a hammer or is on fire. This is achieved in that the detonator is only swiveled into the ignition channel when the projectile is accelerated by the launch and a locking slide on the firing pin is released by the projectile twist . However, the locking slide only releases after a certain number of revolutions, thus ensuring that the detonator is not triggered by a bird or other object in the area of the muzzle and endangers the gun crew. At the target, the firing pin in the detonator is triggered by the impact. If the fuse does not trigger the blow, the locking slide is withdrawn when the projectile no longer rotates so that the detonator is triggered anyway. On the one hand, this ensures the effect on the target, and on the other hand, duds are avoided.
disposal
Disposal of ammunition is the generic term for the recovery, interim storage, recycling, destruction, rendering harmless and unusable of ammunition, including the activities required for this, such as tracing, uncovering, identifying, decontaminating, disarming, opening and dismantling ammunition or ammunition components. The aim of disposal is the final disposal of the ammunition.
See also
literature
- Harry Hampton: Facts about Sporting Ammunition Munition Fires , SAAMI ( online PDF 1.59 MB )
Individual evidence
- ↑ Beschussamt Ulm: AMMUNITION APPROVAL (PDF, 82.5 kB) ( Memento from April 16, 2018 in the Internet Archive ), viewed on April 17, 2018
- ↑ "Central Service Regulations of the Bundeswehr - ZDv 30/41" Terms of Logistics and Armaments "as of 04/2013
- ↑ a b Bernie Halls: Insensitive Munitions State of the Art , MSIAC (MUNITIONS SAFETY INFORMATION ANALYSIS CENTER), 2008 (PDF, 1.1 MB) ( Memento from January 12, 2014 in the Internet Archive ) see: MSIAC
- ↑ OSCE document: PRACTICAL GUIDE “AMMUNITION TRANSPORT” (PDF, 82.5 kB) ( Memento of August 2, 2013 in the Internet Archive ), viewed on April 17, 2018