O-223 An International Review of STANAG 4488 Gap Testing

This document describes the results of an international review of STANAG 4488 Gap Testing. The purpose of this review is to identify issues related to shock initiation characterization, identify issues related to gap testing, identify and share best practice and to make recommendations to develop or update STANAG 4488 – Explosives, Shock Sensitivity Tests if needed. To perform the review, MSIAC created a questionnaire in conjunction with the lead of the NATO AC/326 SG/A Shock Sensitivity Test Methodologies Custodial Working Group (CWG) and several subject matter experts. The on-line questionnaire was subsequently published on the MSIAC web site. Notices were sent to the MSIAC steering committee, MSIAC national focal point officers, and a list of subject matter experts. Additionally, the survey was announced in the MSIAC newsletter. After reception and analysis of the answers and other related documents, MSIAC has summarized the results and presented them to the NATO AC/326 SG/A Shock Sensitivity Test Methodologies CWG. This document provides an analysis of the answers received and provides some recommendations to support the potential update of STANAG 4488.

(Note: this is an abridged version of MSIAC Report L-296; Annex B containing the original question responses and comments has been removed.)