UNCLASSIFIED
1
Distribution A: Approved for Public Release. Distribution is Unlimited. Other Requests for this
Document may be referred to US Army, RDECOM, Picatinny Arsenal NJ
UNCLASSFIEID
Review and update of STANAG 4526 Shaped Charge Jet, Munitions Test Procedure
International Explosives Safety Symposium & Exposition
6-9 August 2018
San Diego CA
Dr. Brian Fuchs¹, Dr. Ernie Baker², Mr. Ken Tomasello³, Mr. Manfred Becker⁴
¹ U.S. Army ARDEC Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806
² Retired from U.S. Army ARDEC Picatinny Arsenal, New Jersey 07806
³ US Navy, NOSSA, NATO AC326 Subgroup B Chairman
⁴ Retired from MSIAC NATO Headquarters Boulevard Léopold III Brussels B-1110
Belgium
Abstract
The custodial working group for STANAG 4526, Shaped Charge Jet, Munitions Test
Procedure is developing an updated Allied Ordinance Publication (AOP) that will replace
STANAG 4526 which was ratified in 2004. Since the ratification there have been
significant improvements in the understanding of: initiation by shaped charges, testing
procedures, improved insensitive munitions, and a clearer definition of the threat. The
STANAG is dated and no longer provides a working structure for improving the safety of
munitions and international coordination of munition development. Multiple international
meetings have been held including a technical workshop under the auspices of NATO’s
Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC): ENSTA Bretagne Brest France
12 – 15 May, 2014 and two Custodial Working Group meetings: Brest France 16 May,
2014 and Bofors Test Center, Karlskoga, Sweden 03 September 2014. In addition two
update meetings were held in conjunction with the Response Descriptors Working Group to
discuss the implementation strategy in relation to the new Standards Related Document
being written. In absence of clear guidelines due to the dated STANAG, member nations
developed new test procedures based upon real world threats. These test procedures share
many commonalties. An AOP is being developed that will codify the use of the new tests,
allow for a comparison between the tests, and develop a set of guidelines to assist the
development of new tests that address the common threat. This is an update on the progress
since the presentation at the 2015 IMEM.
