NATO AOP-39 PDF

This AOP gives guidance on design considerations and techniques that should be applied to a munition to reduce its vulnerability to the threats defined in STANAG 4439. It also gives guidance and direction on the methodology for carrying out an IM assessment, which includes the evaluation of the results of such an assessment and associated tests.

The guidance contained in this document can be applied to the IM assessment of all non-nuclear munitions, either newly developed, product improved, replenishment purchased, or older designs still in service, during all phases of life, from manufacture to target or disposal.

The IM assessment does not replace assessments carried out in accordance with AOP-15 to establish a munition's safety and suitability for service, nor does it replace legislative and regulatory requirements relating to the manufacture, transportation, storage and disposal of munitions. Rather, an IM assessment supports completion of a comprehensive assessment of safety and suitability for service. It is a focussed analysis to address the following:

a. Identification of specific threats to which a munition may be exposed during its life cycle.

b. Prescription of testing regimes that will provide information about a munition's response to representative threats/stimuli.

c. Comparison of such responses with IM requirement goals defined in STANAG 4439.

AIM

The aim of this AOP is to provide guidance and direction to enable the policy and requirements specified in STANAG 4439 for the development, assessment and testing of IM (MURAT) to be implemented.