Chemring’s core capabilities are in the development, test, production, detection and neutralisation of energetic materials
We apply these capabilities to the manufacture of base energetic materials, compositions, components, sub-systems and complete systems, ranging from tiny detonators to advanced Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) for the detection of buried explosive threats. We also provide products and services across the full lifecycle of products from their inception through to final safe disposal.
Development
Chemring’s design and development capabilities are distributed within its operating business units to ensure flexibility, responsiveness and close connections to customer requirements. This development capability is underpinned by years of know-how, frequently embodied in proprietary modelling software developed to meet the unique challenges associated with energetic materials:
- CounterSim is a bespoke model for the development and assessment of new countermeasures against a variety of missile threats for land sea and air platforms.
- SiBac models the dynamic conditions of energetic events in the operation of cartridge/propellant actuated devices
Our deep understanding of the properties of energetic materials and ability synthesise and blend enables a wide range of properties to be tailored to the specific requirements of the target application. Critical parameters include:
- Spectral characteristics of the heat and light from combustion
- Rate of combustion or detonation
- Insensitivity to impact, heat and explosive events
- Gas and pressure generation
Rapid prototyping is also an important capability to meet customer requirements, particularly in the fast-changing threat environments characteristic of modern operations. Examples of this responsiveness include:
- Development of advanced Infra-Red Illumination compositions for deployment in 81mm mortar ammunition
- Prototyping of new Improvised Explosive Device (IED) disruption technologies and robot mounting systems
- Upgrading demolition stores to reduce sensitivity using new compositions and mechanical designs to enhance safety
Test
Almost all our products are single-shot devices used in circumstances where the consequences of failure may be disastrous. In order to develop, qualify and ensure production quality, Chemring has leading capabilities in designing test procedures, conducting qualification and lot testing and analysing the results. Typical in-house test facilities include:
- Vibration and drop-test
- High and low temperature cycling
- X-ray and non-destructive inspection
- Proof firing and high speed analysis
- Chemical analysis
These test capabilities also support in-service life-cycle management and assessment of the state of aging products.
Production
Safe, high volume manufacture is central to Chemring’s business – the nature of energetic materials means that remote manufacturing operations and automation are key underpinning capabilities throughout the Group:
- In Countermeasures, we have or are building automated production facilities in all our operations to ensure safety, product quality and flexible capacity
- In Pyrotechnics, our marine safety flares and rockets as well as our Battlefield Simulation products are assembled on automated lines
- In Munitions, most of our Load, Assembly and Pack (LAP) operations are conducted on semi-automated lines – our small calibre plate loading automated inspection system has a capacity of over 50m rounds per year
An additional strength of Chemring’s operational management is the ability to rapidly scale up production in response to urgent operational requirements – we have extended this from Countermeasures through to the delivery of NIITEK’s advanced mine detection system currently being deployed in theatre.
Detection and Neutralisation
Chemring’s understanding of energetic materials also enables us to develop advanced solutions to neutralise Improvised Explosive Device (IED) and Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) threats as well as safely demilitarising redundant munitions. For example: IED & UXO – Chemring has developed a range of recoilless disrupters and other equipment to safely neutralise IEDs and UXO in-situ, whilst minimising the risk of unintended detonation and maintaining the integrity of any forensic evidence if necessary. Demilitarisation – Chemring has established a storage and demilitarisation facility in Italy to safely dispose of life expired or redundant munitions.
With a current operational threat of IEDs and land-mines in many countries, Chemring has acquired leading detection technology to overcome the critical challenge of actually finding the threat with a minimum false alarm rate. NIITEK’s GPR technology is in use with the US Army to support peace-keeping operations, and will facilitate the large-scale rehabilitation of former combat zones which are currently unusable due to a lethal legacy of buried land-mines and UXO.