Weapon Burial Secondary Debris (WBSD)

ABSTRACT: Karagozian & Case (K & C), along with Analysis Planning and Testing Research Inc. (APT), are pleased to submit this proposal for a nine-month Phase I project to demonstrate the feasibility of developing innovative experimental and modeling methodologies to quantify and assess the effects from secondary debris generated by detonation of partially or completely buried conventional weapons. As stated in Air Force topic AF121-097, the secondary debris generated from soil ejecta, roadways, or bunkers due to buried conventional weapons effects (CWE) can be lethal to personnel and can damage structures and equipment of collateral concerns. The Air Force requirement is to quantify secondary debris from all soil types. The effect of secondary debris on collateral concerns is of great importance to the warfighter for effective planning and targeting and must be addressed in the Joint Munitions Effectiveness Manuals (JMEM) Weaponeering System (JWS) tools. JWS is a target oriented system allowing users to determine the effectiveness of weapon systems against a specified target irrespective of the weapon delivery mode. The development of an engineering tool for JWS to predict secondary debris and enable lethality, risk, and collateral damage estimation will require methods for obtaining reliable and useful quantities to characterize secondary debris data. This necessitates development of experimental and instrumentation methodologies for accurate and economic collection of test data. BENEFIT: There is a great interest in the commercial market for the products that may be developed in this research project especially for agencies/industries that have particular concerns related to the risks engendered by buried explosives. This includes secondary debris generated by ejecta from soil, roadways, or underground structures.