• Skip to main content
  • Skip to secondary menu
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

US Military

  • Branches
    • Army
    • Navy
    • Air Force
    • Marine Corps
    • Coast Guard
    • National Guard
    • Air National Guard
    • Find A Recruiter
  • Find A Recruiter
  • Military Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • VA Loans
    • Military Scholarships
    • Military Friendly Colleges
    • Money
  • Jobs
    • Military Pay Chart
    • Veteran Jobs
    • Civilian Jobs
  • VA Loan Rates
  • Military News
    • Top News
    • Benefits
    • Careers
    • Education
    • Featured Columnists
      • Larry Fowler
      • Scott Ostrow
      • Kim Lengling
      • Dr. Sasha Toperich
      • Rick Stewart
  • USM Shop
  • GI Bill
  • VA Loans
  • Military Scholarships
  • Top Military-Friendly Colleges and Universities in America

Army Develops Smoke Screens for Future Battles

May 22, 2014 By admin

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (May 22, 2014) – The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center is researching and developing smoke screen compositions to keep pace with the changing face of conflict.

The U.S. Army Edgewood Chemical Biological Center, known as ECBC, is currently completing a multi-year effort to refine several smoke screen compositions that will allow troops to mask themselves from enemy fire.

A new formula will replace the World War II-era HC Screening Smoke Grenade. Offshoots have applications in short-range mortars, and long-range artillery shells.

Joseph A. Domanico, senior engineer for the Pyrotechnics and Explosives Branch, leads the smoke composition effort. Chemical engineers Giancarlo Diviacchi and Amee La Bonte and engineering technicians Mike Kauzlarich and Charles Young are also on the team.

“When people think of ECBC, they think of the great work in chem-bio defense equipment. Lesser known is the role ECBC plays in developing battlefield obscurants to protect the warfighter,” said Nino Bonavito, PEB chief.

Several potential smoke compositions are nearing the end of the decision cycle that will determine which composition goes into development to become the smoke composition of choice for the next century.

Before deciding, the Army will consider performance, manufacturing cost, toxicity, environmental impact and the availability of materials.

Four basic smoke compositions are being considered.

FIRST CANDIDATE

First is a zinc-free composition, HX, similar to the hexachloroethane composition, but one that does not produce a toxic, irritant smoke containing zinc chloride.

HC was the smoke of choice for many years, capable of pulling water from the atmosphere and doubling the amount of smoke produced. The HX composition has a similar action except that metals other than zinc produce smoke as dense as the HC, but without high amounts of acidity.

“The chemical reaction of the HX composition produces slightly less combustion products and has a higher efficiency, so the result is a similarly dense smoke cloud. This combination makes it the most exciting smoke composition in a long while,” Domanico said.

SECOND CANDIDATE

The second composition is hexachloroethane-free.

“The advantage of this composition is that none of the ingredients are water soluble, and that nearly eliminates the contamination of water supplies,” explained Domanico.

By encapsulating chlorine atoms in a plastic matrix, the potential for ground water contamination is nearly eliminated. The chlorine in the matrix is freed by the heat of combustion, allowing the smoke to pull water from the atmosphere and producing a dense smoke cloud. Because the rest of the plastic matrix is carbon, the smoke is filled with fine carbon particles giving a dark gray to black color.

This is unusual as the best smoke compositions are white, since white smoke reflects more light than darker smoke, resulting in a more effective smoke cloud.

THIRD CANDIDATE

The third candidate contains a solid solution of magnesium and aluminum, and produces a large quantity of metal oxides as its main smoke component. Basically, the smoke comes from the burning of the combination of metal powders.

This smoke is bright white and easily blends in a bowl with a binder, or in any other suitable mixing system.

Using a binder similar to “Super Glue,” the composition can be used in grenades, short range mortars and even in long-range artillery, allowing forces to be great distances from their targets. The “Super Glue” binder allows the smoke composition to be pressed into a hard, dense brick that can survive the flight from howitzer to target.

FOURTH CANDIDATE

The Lithium-Plus composition is the fourth smoke candidate. It is based on lithium combustion technology.

A chemical reaction uses a lithium salt to produce a superior smoke cloud, pulling large quantities of water from the atmosphere. Lithium salts are efficient, and result in a dense, bright white smoke cloud.

The compositions will be tested and evaluated in combat conditions, from cold to hot environments; in forest, desert and urban terrains; and whether or not friendly troops and civilians are in the combat zone.

ECBC continues to develop future smoke grenades, mortar cartridges, and artillery shells to offer the best options in future conflicts.

Filed Under: Army, daniel articles, Top News

[related_posts_by_tax format="thumbnails" limit_posts="100" image_size="sidebar-thumbnail" public_only="true" posts_per_page="6"]

Primary Sidebar

USMilitary.com Career Guide

Sign up to receive USMilitary.com email updates and to hear what's going on with all military branches!

Featured Columnists

Larry Fowler

Larry Fowler is the publisher of USMilitary.com Network one of America's premier privately owned

Autobiography Compares Living Faithfully With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).

Scott Ostrow

Lt Col (Dr.) Scott A. Ostrow retired from the Air Force in September 2005 and has been teaching

Must Read: The Truth About The ASVAB Test Prep From The Man Who Wrote The Book

Kim Lengling

Kim Lengling is a Air Force Veteran whose passion is to help support veterans and their

The Moving Wall: Women Who Paid The Ultimate Price For Their Country

Dr. Sasha Toperich

Dr. Sasha Toperich is the Senior Executive Vice President at Transatlantic Leadership

Sarraj’s Dangerous Dance With Power

Rick Stewart

Rick Stewart is a former United States Air Force Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE)

Announcing American Patriots Unsung Magazine

Nathan B. Nelson

Capt (ret) Nathan B. Nelson is the Director of Military Affairs for the 1st Congressional district

Three Critical Considerations for Every Veteran Prior to Leaving Active Duty

Laquan Daniels

Laquan Daniel is a military recruiting expert with over 17 years of specialized experience in the

Important News For Military Transitioning Veterans

Veteran Buzz

Hire Military Veterans

Which Companies Are Most Likely to Hire Military Veterans?

July 30, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

5 High-Paying Jobs for Military Veterans

July 2, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

High Paying Jobs Not Requiring a Degree

June 28, 2018 By Ben Ehinger

Footer

  • Advertise With Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Write For US
  • Link to Us

Recent

  • Apache Attack Helicopter Pilot: To Maintain a Watchful Eye, “Above the Best”
  • A Few Benefits You May Not be Aware of As a Military Child
  • Experts Predict Artificial Intelligence Will Transform Warfare
  • Autobiography Compares Living Faithfully With Navy SEAL Training (BUD/S).
  • The Unraveled Pandemic Of Navy SEAL Posers

Search

© Copyright 2021 USMillitary
Web Design by Goebel Media Group


THIS IS A PRIVATE WEBSITE THAT IS NOT AFFILIATED WITH THE U.S. GOVERNMENT, U.S. ARMED FORCES, OR DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS. U.S. GOVERNMENT AGENCIES HAVE NOT REVIEWED THIS INFORMATION. THIS SITE IS NOT CONNECTED WITH ANY GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

​Tips
Discounts
News

​

​

Join the USMilitary.com Newsletter Today!

By subscribing you agree to our terms & conditions

x