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| target: DEPLETED URANIUM MUNITIONS |
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| What are dU munitions? |
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A dU munition contains a solid uranium rod inside the shell and is sometimes referred to as a kinetic energy munition. The dU penetrators inside the shells are uranium-238 (U238), a radioactive, alpha emitting metallic toxic waste left over from the uranium "enrichment" process.
Depleted uranium is neither painted nor coated on the shell, but rather a solid metal rod inserted inside the shell. A one and a half pound 30mm shell contains a half pound dU penetrator and a 120mm tank shell contains over 10 pounds of dU.
Combined with titanium, the DU alloy is extremely dense and makes devastating armor piercing ammunition. The shells literally burn through the armor. Unlike most metals that 'pancake' or flatten upon impact, depleted uranium has the unique ability to 'self-sharpen' while penetrating its target.
The pyrophoric nature of uranium metal is also well known. An estimate, used by the U.S. Army when a dU penetrator is fired at high velocity against armor, is about 10% of it burns up and forms microscopic uranium oxide particles that can be inhaled or ingested. However, a report by the Army Environmental Policy Institute (AEPI), describing research on hard target testing, states "As much as 70 percent of a dU penetrator can be aerosolized when it strikes a tank..." or approximately 7 pounds of microscopic uranium oxide dust, a radioactive heavy metal, is released into the environment.
Depleted uranium munitions were first used in Gulf War I. |
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| ATK and DEPLETED URANIUM MUNITIONS |
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Alliant has developed and is the largest supplier of depleted Uranium munitions in medium and large caliber sizes: 25mm (M791), 30 mm (PGU-14) and 120 mm (M829A1 and A2).
The company has produced over 18 million shells containing depleted uranium penetrators since 1976, when the munition was first developed by the Honeywell Corporation, Alliant's predecessor.
ATK currently machines and assembles dU munitions at the Radford Army Ammunition Plant (RFAAP) in Radford, Virginia. Production depends on military needs, and contracts can stop and start. The depleted uranium material is supplied by Aerojet.
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| ATK, Depleted Uranium and the Environment... |
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TCAAP Site Description (operated by Honeywell and then ATK)
The New Brighton/Arden Hills Superfund site consists of the Twin Cities Army Ammunition Plant (TCAAP) and all other areas of the surrounding communities contaminated by the migration of hazardous substances or contaminants from TCAAP. Between 1941 and 1981, waste material was disposed of at 14 disposal areas or sites within TCAAP. The total area of the Superfund site, including the off-site contaminated groundwater plumes, is approximately 25 square miles.
• Complete EPA report - click here
Depleted Uranium clean-up in Building 502
Alliant Tech continued to produce depleted uranium munitions at TCAAP until the early 2000s. In 2002, The Safety and Ecology Corporation (SEC) was contracted to clean-up depleted uranium and other toxic waste in Building 502 upon the decommissioning of the Army owned site. SEC is an independent contractor.
HERE THEY ARE!
Amazing images of the clean-up of depleted uranium and other toxic wastes at the Twin City Army Ammunition Plant, first posted by NukeWorker.com by an employee of SEC. The images were subsequently removed. These images are provided for educational purposes.
• TCAAP pollution clean-up at Building 502 - click here |
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| Depleted Uranium and International Law |
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| info soon |
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| Depleted Uranium Resources |
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• AlliantACTION dU info sheet: dU and ATK – click here
PDF - ya need the reader! See Downloads for more info. |
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• dU101.org – click here
Opens new window. "More than you need to know about depleted uranium." Great site that presents just the facts on the effects of depleted uranium - includes 1995 Army produced training video on the dangers of depleted uranium and never shown to the troops. |
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• International Coalition to Ban Uranium Weapons – online - click here
Opens new window. The Coalition encourages and supports direct action, campaigns and the formation of national coalitions to inform and educate the public regarding uranium-its origin, properties, use, and impact on human health and the environment. |
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• Campaign Against Depleted Uranium (CADU) – online - click here
Opens new window. Launched in 1999 to focus specifically on trying to achieve a global ban on the manufacture, testing, and use of depleted uranium weapons. |
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• Military Toxics Project – online - click here
Opens new window. A national non-profit network of neighborhood, veterans', Indigenous, peace, environmental, and other organizations representing people affected by military contamination and pollution. |
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| – this page is being updated - all information current – |
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