PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. (May 20, 2015) -- In recognition of its success in insensitive munitions technology, an energetics team that included nine Picatinny Arsenal employees recently received a technical achievement award from NATO's Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center.
The award from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's analysis center is presented to those who have made consistent contributions in the research and production of munitions safety and its policies.
Each year, the organization holds an Insensitive Munitions and Energetic Materials symposium, which honors key participants for their technical and careers achievements as well as highlights the progress in Insensitive Munitions technology and safety. Insensitive munitions are less prone to violent reactions when subjected to external stimuli such as impact from bullets, heat and shock from nearby explosions.
This year's Picatinny team came from three Picatinny organizations, including Project Manager Combat Ammunition Systems (PM CAS); the Program Executive Office for Ammunition (PEO Ammo); as well as the Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC). Other team members are from contractor BAE Systems Ordnance Systems Inc.
Individual team members are: PM-CAS -- James Chang, Charlie Patel, Leila Zunino, Dan Napolitano; PEO-AMMO -- Seham Salazar; ARDEC -- Nick Baldwin, Philip Samuels, Daniel Zaloga, and Keyur Patel.
The energetic team received the award for work with the Insensitive Munitions Explosive 104, (IMX-104). The IMX-104 is an explosive fill for high explosive mortars, such as the 60 mm and 81 mm mortars. But, unlike its predecessor Composition B, IMX-104 is less reactive, allowing mortars to stay intact when exposed to unintended external stimuli and ultimately keep Soldiers safe without compromising performance. "I'm always proud when Team Picatinny receives recognition and credit for its hard work," said Jim Shields, Program Executive Officer for Ammunition.
"But, what's great about projects like IMX-104, is that it conveys our commitment to continuously improving the technology we provide our war-fighters," Shields continued. "It's not about doing research for the sake of doing research, we're always looking to deliver increased capability, ensure safer operations, and drive down costs so we can afford to implement technologies like IMX-104 that improve the survivability our service members on the battlefield and during training."
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The Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to develop technology and engineering solutions for America's Soldiers.
RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command. AMC is the Army's premier provider of materiel readiness -- technology, acquisition support, materiel development, logistics power projection, and sustainment -- to the total force, across the spectrum of joint military operations. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, eats it or communicates with it, AMC provides it.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Armament Research, Development and Engineering Center (ARDEC) homepage
U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command (RDECOM) homepage
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