Replacement of Toxic and Ecotoxic Components of Military Smokes for Screening

Pyrotechnic smokes for screening, as referred to in this paper are solid/liquid aerosols being generated by pyrochemical reactions (chem. formation of the active aerosol component) as well as by explosive dissemination (dispersion of already preshaped aerosol components by HE or pyrotechnic bursting charges). HC-smoke, WP- or RP-smoke, fog oil or artificial smokes based on dissemination of titanium tetrachloride are well known formulations of the past century. Their environmental impact and their toxicity are also well known. During the last 20 years efforts were made in various NATO countries, not only to replace these hazardous smokes but also to improve the screening capacity and cover also the longer wavelengths like near and far IR and the millimeter wave section of the electromagnetic spectrum (EMS). NICO has developed two new types of pyrotechnic smoke formulations, one for training purposes (KM-smoke) and the other (NG-smoke) for multispectral applications (VIS, IR, MMW). Both types were subject to environmental compatibility tests according to the OECD-guidelines. The tests were carried out by the Fraunhofer Institute of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology (IUCT). Test results, pyrotechnic smoke formulations and screening performance of these new smokes are discussed.