Review and Assessment of Development Issues Concerning the Metal Parts Treater Design for the Blue Grass Chemical Agent Destruction Pilot Plant (BAST)

Released 03.03.08

The United States is in the process of destroying its chemical weapons stockpile.  In 1996, Congress mandated that DoD demonstrate and select alternative methods to incineration at the Blue Grass and Pueblo sites.  The Assembled Chemical Weapons Alternatives (ACWA) program was setup to oversee the development of these methods, and pilot plants were established at both sites.  One of the new technologies being developed at the Blue Grass pilot plant are metal parts treaters (MPTs) to be used for the empty metal munitions cases.  During recent testing, some issues arose with the MPTs that caused the ACWA to request a review by the NRC to investigate and determine their causes.  This report of that review presents a discussion of the MPT system; an assessment of the MPT testing activities; an analysis of thermal testing, modeling, and predicted throughput of the MPT; and an examination of the applicability of munitions treatment units under development at Pueblo for the Blue Grass pilot plant.

Manpower and Personnel Needs for a Transformed Naval Force (NSB)

Released 01.02.08

The Department of Defense (DOD) is undertaking a major effort to transform the nation's armed services to meet future military challenges.  Advances in science and technology are playing a critical role in this transformation.  The changes wrought by new technologies have rippled through all operations aspects and have highlighted the need for changes in military personnel policies.  To assist the Navy address these changes, the NRC was asked to review the military manpower and personnel policies and studies currently underway at DOD and to develop a strategy for future Navy military manpower and personnel needs.  This report presents an introduction to current personnel policies of and concerns facing the Navy; an assessment of demographic, technological, and other forces affecting future personnel needs and availability; a summary and assessment of previous studies; an examination of the role of research in implementing personnel policy change; and an analysis of obstacles to and strategies for transforming the Naval force.