Crane Army scrap ammunition project almost ready
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A Crane Army Ammunition Activity project that will break down old ammunition into scrap is nearly ready to begin.
The activity is currently beta testing the Super Pull Apart Machine, or SPAM, which is being used to break down old 30-millimeter ammunition that has been largely phased out by the Army.
The Army said in a news release that SPAM is safe and environmentally friendly. The device separates the projectile from its metal cartridge casing, and the propellant inside is disposed in a controlled burn. Rounds are processed at a pace of one every one or two seconds.
The decision to phase out the ammunition was furthered by a drawdown in the number of A10 Thunderbolt II close-air support aircraft, which used the ammunition.
“If we had the funding, we could run this line around the clock, year-round. There’s plenty of old ammo out there – millions and millions of rounds that we could get rid of to make room for newer ammo,” said Stacy Van Hoy, the engineer leading the project, in the release. “I mean, you’re talking six to seven years of non-stop running to keep up with what’s out there.”
The machine is expected to be online and functional this spring. The Army said the machine is capable of disassembling other ammunition calibers, but the initial focus will be on the 30-millimeter.