Posted on 04/29/2023 10:31:06 PM PDT by kiryandil
Decades of consolidation have left the Pentagon vulnerable to mishaps—including when the sole maker of a crucial type of gunpowder went offline
MINDEN, La.—Nearly two years ago, an errant spark inside a mill caused an explosion so big it destroyed all the building’s equipment and blew a corrugated fiberglass wall 100 feet.
It also shut down the sole domestic source of an explosive the Department of Defense relies on to produce bullets, mortar shells, artillery rounds and Tomahawk missiles.
The ramshackle facility makes the original form of gunpowder, known today as black powder, a highly combustible material with hundreds of military applications. The product, for which there is no substitute, is used in small quantities in munitions to ignite more powerful explosives.
No one was hurt in the June 2021 blast. But the factory remains offline, unable to deliver its single vital component to either commercial or Pentagon customers.
(Excerpt) Read more at wsj.com ...
Full article at https://archive.ph/8npg4
Well it appears OBiden made it priority to get it back online again. /sarc
Definitely an attack from the inside.
Aren’t there a lot of people who know how to make that powder?
Black powder substitutes are cleaner burning and produce less fouling and are available to enthusiasts. Part of the problem is that the substitutes are preferred by most people.
Dept. of Homeland Security, DOT, NHSTA recently came to a job fair at our local community college - made offers to all the kids who had studied machining, engine technology and drafting/construction - basically anyone who studied some math and was smart enough to enter a skilled trade (not the gender-studies retards - who all go into county social services)
With unlimited printed money and debt, Fed.gov it seems will always pay higher compared to the local, private diesel/engine repair shops, construction firms and machine shops - who are all scrambling for skilled workers.
Its simple “crowding out.”
And they wonder why there is no one to manufacture munitions.
Just another way bloated Fed.gov f***s the whole economy
The article is a little misleading. Black powder is not used to make bullets (cartridges) for small arms, not used for pistol and rifle ammunition.
Black powder production is inherently risky. It is classified by DOT as an explosive. Smokeless powders are classified as a propellant, this is one reason why it is more expensive to buy, and many sporting goods shops no longer carry it, because of onerous storage requirements. It is not found on the shelf.
I remember a few years ago doing some contract work for a DoD contractor who repaired radar systems, etc. It was near Talladega, ALA. On the grounds were old WWII large naval shell assembly bunkers where they loaded and processed the rounds. An elaborate maze of trolley tunnels, copper grounding straps everywhere. An amazing bit of history to see up close.
Because they have a nasty habit of blowing up, as this one did. Again.
One of the usual bugbears - costly regulations.
Also, with the US Army, it's apparently a case of unsteady demand.
Environmental restrictions are a huge barrier to entry.
Have you seen similar new brick and mortar industries be built within a couple years of ground breaking? Like oil refineries, paper mills etc, it is nearly impossible to get through the permitting process - and also costly to do so too. If you had a billion to invest, why tie up your capital for 8-10 years before you can drive a nail?
Estes took over the Goex plant and is making powder again. US government is their largest customer. This article is hogwash.
Well maybe someone could make a factory that had a nitrogen atmosphere in the production area that contains the Black Powder ? Would that work for a temporary Nonexplosive situation ? Might be a good idea to have workers wearing O2 breathing apparatus for breathing safety I guess just don’t breathe on the product.
Any opinions ?
Absurd. Black powder is it’s own oxidizer. It would explode in a vacuum.
I’d be careful driving any nails (at least with a steel hammer)😎
Okay, hence My question.
Thanks.
Did you actually read the article?
Estes Energetics is on a schedule to relaunch production this summer.
I guess the positive outcome is, the stuff works.
“Decades of consolidation”
Take that, Putin!!! We know how to apply the smartest and brightest MBA graduates, from IVY LEAGUE schools, to make our military much more efficient!
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