The Transition to Insensitive Munitions (IM)

The “Transition to IM” covers all the efforts necessary to decrease the risks exhibited by munitions in accidental and hostile environments. Mastering the design of Insensitive Munitions(IM), or MURAT in French, has only been possible after many years of research, mainly dealing with the reaction mechanisms of energetic materials to the stimuli induced by the accidental threats. After recounting the origins of the transition to IM, the main physical behaviours driving the unexpected ways of reaction are described, as well as the necessary tools for their prediction and computation. This synthesis of the available means for the design of IM is followed by a description of the state of art in the field of standardization of tests and criteria.