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Distribution A. Approved for Public Release. Distribution is Unlimited.
UNCLASSIFIED
Distribution A. Approved for Public Release. Distribution is Unlimited.
Insensitive Munitions and Energetic Materials Technology Symposium
April 23 – 26, 2018, Portland, OR
Life Cycle Demilitarization Considerations for IM Development
Gary Mescavage,
Chief Engineer (Acting),
Product Manager for Demilitarization
Abstract Number 20114
Demilitarization in the Life Cycle
Demilitarization is the end stage of the life cycle of military materiel. Acquisition policy states
that “at the end of its useful life, a system will be demilitarized and disposed of ….” (DoD
Instruction 5000.02 5.d.(14)(b)2, 7 Jan 2015) This requirement includes “conventional
ammunition.” “Conventional ammunition” is defined in DoDD 5160.65 as: “An end item,
complete round, or materiel component charged with explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, or
initiating composition for use in connection with defense or offense (including demolitions) as
well as ammunition used for training, ceremonial, or non-operational purposes. This includes
inert devices that replicate live ammunition, commonly referred to as dummy ammunition, which
contain no explosive materials.” Examples of conventional ammunition are identified in DoDD
5160.65 and shown in Table 1 below. Tactical missiles (not strategic missiles) are included and
sometimes classified separately from other conventional ammunition. Conventional ammunition
does not include nuclear, chemical, or biological munitions.
• Small arms, mortar, automatic cannon,
artillery, and ship gun ammunition.
• Bombs (cluster, fuel air explosive,
general purpose, and incendiary)
• Unguided rockets, projectiles, and
submunitions
• Chemical ammunition filled incendiary,
riot control, smoke, burster igniters,
peptizers and thickeners for flame fuel
(but not chemical agent)
• Land mines (ground-to-ground and air-
to-ground delivered)
• Grenades
• Flares and pyrotechnics
• Guided projectiles, rockets, missiles, and
submunitions
• Naval mines, torpedoes, and depth
charges
• Cartridge and propellant-actuated devices
• Chaff and chaff Dispensers
• Guidance kits for bombs and other
ammunition
• Swimmer weapons
Table 1. Examples of Conventional Ammunition
Both “demilitarization” and “disposal” are accomplished as part of the final stage of the life cycle
as required in DoD Instruction 5000.02. These terms are defined in the Defense Materiel
Disposition Manual (DoD 4160.21-M, Aug 1997) as follows.
