NATO AOP-26 PDF

This catalogue contains information on explosive materials Qualified in accordance with the norms established by STANAG 4170 and its companion document, AOP-7. It also includes information on explosives that have been used successfully before the publication of STANAG 4170 and are "grandfathered" by their National Authorities¹. Thus, on many data sheets contained in this document, question number 10: "WAS THE MATERIAL QUALIFIED PER STANAG 4170?" is answered "No". Generally this is because the material was in use by the services before STANAG 4170 existed and there was a well established history of safe and satisfactory use.

The Qualification of a new explosive in accordance with STANAG 4170 and AOP-7 does not imply Final (or Type) Qualification (as defined below) for use in a specific hardware application. The Final (or Type) Qualification process requires that tests and assessments be performed in accordance with latest editions of STANAG 4297 and AOP-15 - "Guidance on the Assessment of the Safety and Suitability for Service of Non-Nuclear Munitions for NATO Armed Forces" and approval, by the National Authority or his designated representative, for the material to be used in that specific military application.

Terms of Reference (ToR) of NATO AC/326 Subgroup 1 assigns, as one of the Subgroup's responsibilities, the development and maintenance of a catalogue of explosives Qualified by participating NATO countries. AOP-26 was prepared to satisfy that requirement. Each national delegate to AC/326 SG 1 is responsible for coordinating with his National Authority (ies), as designated by the latest edition of STANAG 4170 and providing data sheets and updated information for his country's section of the Annexes to this catalogue.

¹ STANAG 4170 Ed 3, Sec.3: "Explosive already in service for which there is a well established history of safe and satisfactory use, providing the original material specifications remain the same, may be considered Qualified for use in the same role without further testing."