O-043 The Safety Assessment of Insensitive Munitions

The determination that a munition meets the insensitive munitions (IM) requirement is most often based upon the results of full-scale tests which provide little confidence as to the reproducibility of the munition's response. Confidence can be improved if data from smallscale testing is considered into the IM assessment, an integral part of the safety and suitability for service of munitions. A quantitative method to assess the munition's response upon its environment is presented. That approach is based upon the effects on personnel. Finally, questions are being raised as to the validity of qualitatively evaluating risk. What is the current need?