U.S. Destroys Its Stockpile Of VX Nerve Agent

The last American M55 rocket containing VX nerve agent was destroyed at the Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant (BGCAPP) April 19, GlobalSecurity.Org reported.

Photo Insert: A Blue Grass Chemical Agent-Destruction Pilot Plant Unpack Area operator uses a lift assist to load a 155mm projectile containing VX nerve agent onto a tray for processing in the main plant.

"We are celebrating two milestones today," said Dr. Candace Coyle, BGCAPP site project manager. "First, the entire US stockpile of VX nerve agent is now completely destroyed. Next, this marks the completion of the fourth of five chemical weapons destruction campaigns in Kentucky."

"Our team safely completed the first nerve agent rocket campaign using a collective approach to meet and overcome various challenges," said Ron Hink, Bechtel Parsons Blue Grass (BPBG) project manager.

"We now turn our attention to the last destruction campaign, GB rockets, which will start later this year."

Destruction of the VX M55 rockets began at the Blue Grass Army Depot (BGAD) July 9, 2021. Under the observation of trained operators, automated equipment disassembled nearly 18,000 rockets and drained the chemical agent.

As of April 15, more than 46% of the original 523 US tons of chemical agent have been destroyed. There are 277 US tons of chemical agent safely stored and awaiting destruction at Blue Grass. The agent was neutralized by mixing it with water and caustic to produce hydrolysate.

After the agent was confirmed destroyed, the hydrolysate was pumped to holding tanks, safely shipped via tanker truck, and further processed at Veolia Environmental Services in Texas. The drained rocket warheads were containerized and placed in temporary storage at BGAD.

Marked as secondary waste, they will be destroyed in a Static Detonation Chamber unit located in the depot.

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