AVOIDING ENVIRONMENTAL RISK


Implementation of this phased approach is an improvement over the current ESOH risk process; however, it is just a start. T e need for ASTM Standard E2552, and its applicability, extend well beyond the development of energetic materials. T is ESOH evaluation approach provides guid- ance on data needs and evaluation, but it is not a requirement for all programs and is still limited by funding and interest.


T e ideal process would integrate these ESOH data points


as a for advancing to the next


requirement stage of


development. In this case, materials could transition to the next budget activity level or technology readiness level, with a defi nitive list of


required


ESOH data points but without a full evaluation. All materials that transition to the acquisition community thus would be fully characterized, with their risks


well-defi ned, ultimately mitigated.


T at is the ideal. A more reasonable and attainable goal would be to integrate a less restrictive form of this process into an improved RDT&E process, the purpose of which would not be to eliminate risk to the user community, but to provide enough data to the decision-maker to understand possible risks and account for them in moving forward. T e Army will continue to rely on materials that have inherent ESOH risks in order to meet very strict, unique performance requirements; more complete ESOH data will enable the Army to mitigate dramatically any risks to Soldiers, workers and the surrounding community.


SUCCESS STORIES Early eff orts


in applying this process


have been highly successful, with prom- ising new energetic materials evaluated through the RDECOM EALSP Ord- nance Environmental Program (OEP)


54 Army AL&T Magazine April–June 2013


BA1: Basic Research (TRL 1)


IDEAL PROCESS


Note: This figure is conceptually based on the integrated Defense Acquisition and Logistics Life Cycle Management System Chart, but is not an exact representation of the acquisition and RDT&E cycles.


A Materiel Solution Analysis MDD BA – Budget activity MDD – Materiel development decision TRL – Technology readiness level


The proposed improved process incorporates ESOH evaluations earlier in the RDT&E process by requiring fi rst the RDT&E manager (at BA 1–3) and then the PEO or PM (at BA 4-5) to evaluate both the amount of ESOH data collected and the risks identifi ed in the process. In this case, unac- ceptable ESOH risks can require additional research at any point in the RDT&E cycle, forcing the acquisition back through the cycle. In the ideal process, complete ESOH data is still not a require- ment but is an improvement on the current process, providing more complete information to the decision-maker. (SOURCE: AIPH)


B C Technology Development Engineering & Manufacturing Development Production & Deployment Operations & Support understood and No Yes


BA2: Applied Research (TRL 2,3)


No BA3: Yes Advanced


Technology Development (TRL 4, 5, 6)


Key


Are there adequate ESOH data, and are the ESOH risks acceptable?


No: ESOH risk unacceptable; additional RDT&E or ESOH data required.


Yes: RDT&E manager or PM/PEO accepts risk.


FIGURE 2


No No Yes


BA5: System Development & Demonstration (TRL 8)


No BA4: Yes


Advanced Component Development & Prototypes (TRL 6, 7)


All ESOH risks known and accepted by PM/PEO


Yes


and DOD’s Strategic Environmental Research


and Development Program


for energetic materials. T is approach is gaining acceptance in other development eff orts as well, such as the substitution of environmentally acceptable solvents and surface coatings.


As Figure 3 illustrates, the development of a new energetic material begins at the conception phase with the research chemists’


proposed structure. T is


structure may not even have been synthesized, but its properties and performance characteristics can be evaluated using sophisticated computer


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