PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. (Nov. 7, 2013) -- At this year's 2013 Insensitive Munitions and Energetic Materials symposium, retired Picatinny Arsenal employee Pai-Lien Lu, received the Munitions Safety (MS) Award.
The MS Award is from the North American Treaty Organization's Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (NATO MSIAC). It is dedicated to those who have made consistent contributions in the research and production of munitions safety and its policies.
For his outstanding leadership and technical expertise in the fields of propellants, explosives, munitions designs, as well as vulnerability and insensitive munitions (IM), Lu was nominated for the award in early 2013. He received it in mid-October.
Insensitive munitions are munitions that are less prone to violent reactions when subjected to impact from bullets, fragments, heat, and shock from nearby explosions.
Since beginning his career in 1968, Lu has worked closely with a variety of devices for the Picatinny's Armament Research Development Engineering Center (ARDEC). This includes propellants and explosives characterization, explosive ordnance development, and the development of policies for IM and hazard assessment testing.
"Dr. Lu's career work has resulted in a new generation of safer munitions that has definitively saved lives and reduced our Soldiers vulnerability," said Ernest L. Baker, Picatinny senior research scientist for insensitive munitions at ARDEC.
"His efforts resulted in the development of the current Insensitive Munitions standards, as well as the technologies required to make safer munitions."
Lu's studies on energetic reactions, and reactions to insensitive munitions, have contributed greatly to the national and international MS/IM policies.
He also pioneered safer ignition systems and advanced several new munitions.
In addition, Lu brought his expertise in detonation and reaction mechanics to the broader munitions development and acquisition community, such as to barrier materials and ammo packaging design engineers.
A senior scientist, principle technical investigator, and denotation expert, Lu has led numerous Army and Joint teams. For instance, he led a United States joint service team in an international comparative test project that identified the capabilities of less sensitive explosives suitable for Army artillery.
Lu has also contributed as technical expert in numerous hazards reduction working groups and hazard testing venues hosted by NATO, the United Nations, and other international cooperative agreements.
Though he retired in 2004, Lu is held in high regard in the scientific and munitions communities for his ability to innovate and facilitate the transition of new technologies and methods from the laboratory to end-users.
He continues to mentor numerous young engineers in the understanding of IM technologies and its importance.
Related Links:
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Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) website
U.S. Army Materiel Command website
Research, Development and Engineering Command website
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