4.3.18.11. Insensitive Munitions
4.3.18.11. Insensitive Munitions
Insensitive Munitions minimize the probability of inadvertent initiation and the severity of subsequent collateral damage to weapon platforms, logistic systems, and personnel when munitions are subjected to unanticipated stimuli during manufacture, handling, storage, transport, deployment, or disposal, or due to accidents or action by an adversary.
Insensitive Munitions is a component of explosive ordnance safety described in section 2389 of title 10, United States Code, which specifies that it is the responsibility of DoD to ensure insensitive munitions under development or procurement are safe, to the extent practicable, throughout development and fielding when subjected to unplanned stimuli, e.g., electro-magnetic interference, vibration, or shock. The Program Manager and the Systems Engineer for munitions programs such as: ordnance, warheads, bombs, and rocket motors and munitions handling, storage, and transport programs have an overriding responsibility to address safety aspects of their programs in trade studies, design reviews, milestone reviews, and in JCIDS documents.
The Program Manager and Systems Engineer for munitions acquisition programs, regardless of the ACAT level, should have safety as a top consideration when performing trade studies or making program decisions. The term “Insensitive Munitions” implies that unanticipated stimuli will not produce an explosive yield, in accordance with MIL-STD-2105D, Hazard Assessment Tests for Non-Nuclear Munitions. The Program Manager and cognizant technical staff should coordinate harmonized Insensitive Munitions/Hazard Classification (HC) test plans with the Service Insensitive Munitions/Hazard Classification (HC) review organizations. The Service organizations should coordinate the Insensitive Munitions/Hazard Classification (HC) with the Joint Services Insensitive Munitions Panel (JSIMTP), Joint Service Hazard classifiers, and the DoD Explosives Safety Board (DDESB), is chartered by DoDD 6055.9E, Explosives Safety Management and the DDESB. Aspects of Insensitive Munitions also apply to nuclear weapons but are not addressed herein.
The primary document to address Insensitive Munitions is the Insensitive Munitions Strategic Plan (IMSP), as required by USD(AT&L) memorandum, “Insensitive Munitions Strategic Plans,” July 21, 2004, which establishes Department of Defense Policy for the annual submission of Insensitive Munitions Strategic Plans to the Joint Requirements Oversight Council (JROC) and Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology, and Logistics) (OUSD(AT&L)), by the Program Executive Officer (PEO) for munitions programs. USD(AT&L) memorandum, “Joint Insensitive Munitions Test Standards and Compliance Assessment.” February 10, 2010, provides for oversight and compliance assessment. The DoD Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for IMSP and the Plan of Action and Milestones (POA&M), defined by Joint Business Rules, March 2011, define the content of the IMSP, which spans the Future Years Defense Plan (FYDP) and includes currently funded as well as unfunded requirements. The DoD Acquisition Manager’s Handbook for Insensitive Munitions contains the above-referenced documents and appendices for each Service’s policy and review board process.
The IMSP is the primary program output required by USD(AT&L) and the Joint Staff to provide evidence that the program is in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations. Both the Component-level and DoD-level insensitive munitions review organizations can provide additional guidance and can assess the adequacy of the IMSP. In addition to the IMSP, the Analysis of Alternatives (AOA), Acquisition Strategy (AS), Systems Engineering Plan (SEP), Test and Evaluation Master Plan (TEMP), Risk Management Plan, Corrosion Prevention and Control Plan (CPCP), and other JCIDS documents called for in CJCSI 3170 and the JCIDS Manual (requires Common Access Card (CAC) to access website), address aspects of explosive ordnance safety, including Insensitive Munitions.