Air Force proposes increased depleted uranium ammo use Published June 13, 2006 By Mike Estrada 99th Air Base Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Air Force is proposing to increase the use of depleted uranium ammunition at the Nevada Test and Training Range. Under the proposed action, the Air Force would increase the number of depleted uranium rounds from 7,900 to 19,000 annually. The rounds are fired at Target 63-10, about 10 miles from Creech AFB, by A-10 aircraft of the Weapons School and the 422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron. “The Air Force is seeking public comments for the environmental analysis to determine the potential impact of the proposed action and the alternatives,” said Col. ChristopherHaave, 98th Range Wing commander. In addition to the proposed action, the Air Force will also analyze two alternatives: an increase in the use of depleted uranium rounds, but fewer than the preferred 19,000 rounds; and continuing to fire only 7,900 depleted uranium rounds, also called the no-action alternative. “Target 63-10 is the only air to-ground gunnery range in the United States cleared to employ 30mm depleted uranium rounds from A-10 aircraft,” Colonel Haave said. “The target area is restricted and is more than 10 miles from any community, facility, or home.” The colonel pointed out that weapons testing, including ballistic flight test, is an integral part of the constant cycle of weapons systems. “The ballistic characteristics of the depleted uranium round differ significantly from surrogate training rounds,” he said. “With current world conditions, increases in close air support combat missions require highly accurate ballistic software. However, this is unachievable with current depleted uranium testing limitations,” Colonel Haave said. “Operational flight testing needs to be accomplished to ensure tight accuracy and targeting capabilities.” During the past few years, A-10 aircraft have received upgraded gun sights and software. Colonel Haave noted that none of these improvements have been fully tested with actual depleted uranium rounds. A single depleted uranium penetrator, about the size of an adult’s little finger, is capable of penetrating the armor of a tank. As the round penetrates the armor, it burns at extremely high temperatures and sprays hot metal in the interior of the armored target. Depleted uranium is the byproduct of converting natural uranium into enriched uranium. Depleted uranium is 40 percent less radioactive than natural uranium and is twice as dense as lead. The small depleted uranium penetrator weighs 1.7 pounds. Because of its extreme weight, depleted uranium is not easily transported in the environment by wind or water. “Studies conducted by the Air Force at Target 63-10 in 1994 and 2001 showed no detectable movement of depleted uranium in the soil or during rain events,” Colonel Haave said. “The depleted uranium particles remain concentrated in the strike zone, and none have been found outside of the target area.” The Air Force is preparing an environmental assessment that will evaluate such potential effects as human exposure and health risks, soil and water contamination, airborne and runoff transport of residues, radiation safety and management, uptake of residues by local plants and wildlife, and ordnance safety and cleanup. The public scoping period runs through March 1. It is intended to identify public issues and concerns, assist in defining the scope of the analysis, as well as develop other reasonable alternatives. The draft environmental assessment is expected to be available for public review later this year. Concerns or issues should be mailed to the Nellis AFB Office of Public Affairs, 4430 Grissom Avenue, Suite 107, Nellis AFB, NV 89191.
