CHAPTER 12

AMMUNITION STORAGE AND HANDLING ASHORE

Ammunition storage ashore applies to the storage of explosives, ammunition, and ammunition components in two different types of environments and operational conditions. When ammunition is stored at permanently established storage locations, such as naval air stations, naval stations, or other ammunition activities, extensive safety and procedural requirements exist. However, strategic operations may necessitate the establishment of ammunition storage facilities at advanced bases. Although governing regulations exist for the storage of ammunition at advanced bases, they are not as extensive as those governing permanent storage requirements and regulations. The following text covers ammunition storage ashore and ammunition storage ashore for advanced bases.

AMMUNITION STORAGE ASHORE

LEARNING OBJECTIVE: Identify ammunition magazines used ashore. Recognize the quantity-distance requirements. Recognize the hazards posed by various classes of ammunition. Identify storage capability groups and their use. Identify the facilities used to store ammunition at advanced bases.

All units of the Naval Shore and Marine Corps Establishments that produce, store, ship, or otherwise handle ammunition, explosives, and other hazardous materials are under the management and control of NAVSEASYSCOM. Also, NAVSEASYSCOM manages and controls the technical aspects of assembling, maintaining, surveilling, storing, issuing, shipping, and handling ammunition, explosives, or other hazardous materials.

AMMUNITION IDENTIFICATION

Ammunition identification is an important part of ordnance handling and administration. Ammunition identification tells you the service/nonservice type of ammunition, class of explosive contained in the round, Mark (Mk) and modification (Mod) numbers, lot

numbers, and color codes representing the explosive hazards.

Service Ammunition

Ammunition intended for operational use is classified as service ammunition. The warhead contains explosives, pyrotechnics, or chemical agent filler. If required, the propellant is of service or reduced charge weight. Aircraft service ammunition is identified as either armament (kill stores) or ordnance (search stores).

Nonservice Ammunition

Ammunition used for training personnel is classified as nonservice ammunition. This ammunition may be actual service (tactical) quality or may be specially modified or loaded practice ammunition, inert training, inert dummy/drill, or exercise/recoverable ammunition.

PRACTICE/TRAINING AMMUNITION.-

This ammunition is designed for training, practice, or systems testing purposes. It is actually launched, fired, or dropped. It may be a modification of service ammunition designed specifically for practice. Practice ammunition may or may not contain explosive or pyrotechnic materials. Practice ammunition may be either expendable or recoverable, depending upon the device involved.

DUMMY DRILL/INERT AMMUNITION.-

This ammunition is completely inert ammunition. It is used to represent the service ammunition for display purposes, testing weapons, and weapons handling operations. It is also used to develop assembly, testing, and handling proficiency of personnel without actually firing or launching the ammunition.

EXERCISE/RECOVERABLE AMMUNI-TION.- This is service ammunition that is functional in all respects except for the explosive payload. The payload furnishes operational data by the substitution of recoverable exercise components. Pyrotechnics, dye marker, or explosive fittings may be attached to or incorporated in the ammunition.

Table 12-1.-Ammunition Color Codes

Painting

Painting (table 12-1) is the application of the final body coating to ammunition, ammunition components, or ammunition containers by authorized activities. Usually, paint color identifies the use or explosive hazards of the ammunition; however, sometimes it has no meaning.

Marking

Marking is the application of colored spots, bands, or symbols on ammunition, ammunition components, or ammunition containers. Markings, by their color or

shape, identify ammunition fillers or the presence of specific ammunition components.

Chemical filler ammunition, ammunition components, and ammunition containers are identified by bands that are color coded (table 12-1). Chemical fillers are identified by marking symbols placed on a line parallel to the colored bands.

Lettering

Lettering is the use of letters, words, abbreviations, or numerals on ammunition, ammunition components, or ammunition containers. Lettering is put on ammunition by die stamping, stenciling, decals, etching, or rubber stamping. Lettering identities the type, mark and modification, ammunition lot number, and loading information of the ammunition item. Lettering applied in black or white has no color-code significance.

Mark and Modification Designation

The Mk number is an Arabic numeral and represents a basic design. It is followed by a modification (Mod) number to represent a less than major change in design. For example, the mark/modification number assigned to a general-purpose bomb without a change to the basic design is Mk 82 Mod 0. If a minor change to the basic design is incorporated, it is designated as Mk 82 Mod 1, If further changes are incorporated, the modification designations are assigned in sequence, Mod 2, Mod 3, Mod 4, and so forth.

Some explosive devices and ordnance or armament (such as cluster weapons and bomblets used in cluster weapons) are designated by groups of letters and numbers. An example of this type designation is BLU-99-A-T-lB or BLU-7A/B (table 12-2). Other letter-type designators, such as BRU, SUU, FAE, etc., are discussed in other chapters of this TRAMAN.

Table 12-2.-Item Identification Designations for Cluster Munitions

U.S. Army ammunition retains the Army identifier that uses a letter, numeral, and letter and numeral system. For example, the model is designated M23. The first modification of this model is designated M23A1, and subsequent modifications are designated by M23A2, M23A3, etc. If an item was jointly developed by the Navy and Army, the model identifying designation is preceded by the letters AN (Army/Navy). For example, a model is designated AN-M173. The first modification of this model is designated AN-M173A1. Later modifications are designated as AN-M173A2, AN-M173A3, etc.

Department of Defense Identification Code (DODIC) and Navy Ammunition Logistic Code (NALC)

The Department of Defense Information Code (DODIC) is a four-digit code assigned by the Defense Logistics Services Center (DLSC). It identifies ammunition and explosive items (nonnuclear) within the supply system applicable to all the armed forces. The Navy Ammunition Logistic Code (NALC) is a four-digit code assigned by Ships Parts Control Center (SPCC). It identifies Navy-unique items of ordnance.

The DODIC and NALC are interchangeable terms and are included as part of the letter identification contained on ammunition and ammunition components. These codes are used specifically for logistic control and ammunition administration.

If an ammunition item or ammunition component has been modified, a DODIC/NALC code is assigned to the modified item. For example, Mk 105 Mod 0 is assigned code A811 and Mk 105 Mod 1 is assigned code A894. A complete listing of DODICs and NALCs is

contained in Navy Ammunition Logistics Codes, NAVAIR 11-1-116B/TW010-AA-ORD-030.