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The Davy Crockett Weapons System, the Cold War and the NRC |
The
Davy Crockett weapons system – a Cold War-era recoilless rifle – never
actually saw battle. But there are remnants of it at several former
training sites around the country, including two in Hawaii. How does
that involve the NRC? A part of this system, the spotting ![army guy copy]()
round,
contained depleted uranium (DU). The NRC is now reviewing the Army’s
application to possess and manage these spotting rounds in Hawaii.
The
Atomic Energy Commission, the NRC’s predecessor, gave the Army a
license to fabricate and distribute the spotting rounds. These low-speed
projectiles helped to ensure accurate targeting. They emitted a puff a
white smoke on impact. They did not explode, but they made it possible
to see if aiming adjustments were needed.
In
2005, the Army found tail assemblies from the spotting rounds at the
Schofield Barracks on Oahu. That discovery prompted a review of all
sites where the Army trained with the system. The Army found DU at other
sites, including the Pohakuloa Training Area on the big island of
Hawaii. The Army has enough DU at these sites that, under NRC
regulations, it is required to have a possession license. The Army
applied for an NRC license in November 2008.
Natural
uranium is made up of three “isotopes”—forms with different numbers of
neutrons and distinct physical properties: U-234, U-235 and U-238.
“Depleted” uranium has had U-234 and U-235 removed, increasing the
percentage of U-238. Only slightly radioactive, DU can be toxic to the
kidneys if ingested, such as by inhaling dust or drinking contaminated
water. DU is about twice as dense as lead, making it useful in
commercial and military applications.
An
Army information booklet said the DU is in large fragments, not small
dust particles. It is on operational ranges that are not accessible to
the public. Data the Army collected and analyzed show there is no
immediate health risk to people who work at the ranges or live nearby.
The high density and large fragment size mean the DU cannot easily
become airborne or move off-site.
The
NRC asked the Army to provide plans for environmental radiation
monitoring and security. The Army initially provided two plans that
could apply to any of the sites where it used Davy Crockett spotting
rounds. It later provided specific plans for the two sites in ![hawaii]()
Hawaii.
The
NRC is continuing to work with the Army to issue a license. As an NRC
licensee, the Army must follow NRC regulations and standards for
protecting the public and the environment. These may include monitoring
radiation in the air and plants and further controlling access to the
sites. The NRC will oversee that monitoring through periodic inspections
and reviews. The Army will be able to amend its license to add other
sites where it has found DU from the Davy Crockett system. The license
and the Army’s monitoring and access control programs will support
future site cleanup.
More information on DU is available on the Heath Physics Society’s website.
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