O-102 Ed4 The Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC)

Since its founding over 15 years ago, the NATO Insensitive Munitions Information Center (NIMIC) has been dedicated to the acquisition, compilation and analysis of information pertaining to insensitive munitions (IM). NIMIC has effectively supported the development and implementation of IM technologies. However, as more NIMIC nations began to view IM as a normal part of the continuous improvement of munitions safety, the NIMIC Steering Committee (SC) saw a need to adapt NIMIC as well.

In 2004, NIMIC completed its transition into the Munitions Safety Information Analysis Center (MSIAC). The Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU), which formalized the transition, was approved by the then 11 member nations (with the joining of Germany in September 2005, there are now 12 Nations) in December 2004. MSIAC now has a broadened scope to collate, review and analyze munitions safety related information across the whole lifecycle of munitions. IM still remains a key focus area, since IM technologies will continue to be key drivers to enhanced munitions safety.

The products and services of MSIAC are free to government and approved defense contractors of MSIAC participating nations. In addition, limited services are provided to NATO AC/326 subgroups on a request basis and as approved by the MSIAC SC. This paper will provide a review of the history of NIMIC/MSIAC, details of the project office, and an introduction to some of the tools and services available to munitions safety-related personnel of MSIAC nations and NATO AC/326.