V1.0OFFICIAL16 September 2018

Energetics PerformancePlacement / Version: 1.0Date: Issued7th August 2015
Where TheQinetiQEnergetics PerformanceCapability is primarily based near Sevenoaks in Kent. The majority of the 9-month placement will be atthis site but working at other trials sites, particularly Shoeburyness, may be required.The exact nature of the areas covered within the placement will be dependent on the Capability’s current workload and the qualifications/experience of the candidate but will generally cover three of the areas described below.
Overview[1] The Energetics Performance Capability at QinetiQ undertakes a wide range of energetics projects encompassing explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics and associated systems and devices, principally to support life assessment and qualification of weapon systems, explosives and explosive device characterisation andresearch into new materials for explosive systems. The capability consists of standard laboratory analytical techniques, both mechanical and chemical, as well as munitions breakdown and explosive processing/machining.
Small scale hazard testing
Work on the standard tests within the small scale hazard testing (SSHT) area.
  • Testing a range of different materials with different sensitiveness, interpreting the data and appreciating the impact on the handling of those materials in larger quantities;
  • Assisting in the development of the SSHT techniques and developing a greater understanding of the test data;
  • The candidate will present the outcome of the study.
/ Learning Outcomes
  • Have developed first-hand knowledge of the properties of various energetic materials, and be able to extrapolate about physical properties & behaviours;
  • Understanding of the application of statistical processes to the characterisation of energetic materials and the implications of the results;
  • Able to interpret test data and to use this knowledge to determine the measures required to safely work with energetic materials;
  • Demonstrate the ability to apply functional knowledge and experience to a customer problem, to present key points and to compile a technical report.

Munitions Breakdown and Machining
Involved in the planning, co-ordination and, ultimately, delivery of a breakdown task.
  • This would demonstrate the underlying procedure and hazard assessment required for evaluating how to complete the breakdown of a munition;
  • Work within a team under the supervision of the QinetiQ breakdown lead,
  • conduct inspections and write up results
  • participate in a system breakdown;
  • Practical experience in at least one aspect of machining energetic materials.
/ Learning Outcomes
  • To understand the issues associated with breakdown of munitions, particularly complex weapon systems;
  • To understand and appreciate the importance and practical application of risk assessment in a hazardous environment;
  • Application of material safety data to the breakdown and processing of energetic materials;
  • Experience of working with weapon systems, sub-systems, and bulk explosive materials;
  • Gain practical experience of the engineering requirements associated with energetic materials machining.

Explosive Performance Assessment
It is not possible to specify the precise nature of the project until nearer to the start of placement, but the candidate will learn about the technical background and requirements for the project and the process required to undertake a trial involving explosive materials:
  • Experimental design, planning and execution of energetics trials:
  • evaluating instrumentation techniques or equipment;
  • application of instrumentation techniques, eg high speed video and ionisation probes, to explosive trials.
  • Work as a trials team member under the supervision of the QinetiQ Firing Officer:
  • participate in the experimental trial(s),
  • conduct post trials analysis of data and
  • write up the results.
/ Learning Outcomes
  • Practical application of theory and previous experience into all parts of the design, evaluation and execution of trials;
  • Able to identify hazard and risks and how to mitigate them;
  • Input to design of trial, having understood the customer requirements;
  • Being able to collate information and analyse and interpret results;
  • Understand the roles and responsibilities of a Firing Officer;
  • Able to distil conclusions into a customer-deliverable report.

Chemical Analysis Techniques
A hands-on opportunity to learn about chemical analysis techniques for explosives, particularly in relation to in-service surveillance activities. The candidate will learn about the following techniques:
  • Spectroscopy such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance and Infra-Red;
  • Chromatography such as Liquid and Gas;
  • Other techniques depending on particular project requirements.
/ Learning Outcomes
  • Understand analysis techniques (how and when to use them);
  • Understand technical aspect e.g. signal checking and conditioning and interpretation in context of the overall trial objective;
  • Understanding data to be collected and able to predict how/why a specific technique should be used (and how to maximise chances of data capture first time) with no unplanned equipment damage.

Thermal Analysis Techniques
A hands-on opportunity to learn about thermal analysis techniques for explosives, particularly in relation to in-service surveillance activities. The candidate will learn about the following techniques:
  • Accelerated Rate Calorimetry;
  • Vacuum Stability Testing;
  • Compatibility Testing;
  • Differential Scanning Calorimetry;
  • Other techniques depending on particular project requirements.
/ Learning Outcomes
  • Understand thermal analysis techniques (how and when to use them);
  • Experience of assisting in set up of thermal analysis experiments;
  • Understand technical aspect e.g. signal checking and conditioning and interpretation in context of the overall trial objective;
  • Understanding data to be collected and able to predict how/why a specific technique should be used (and how to maximise chances of data capture first time) with no unplanned equipment damage;
  • Able to predict likely problems (siting, accuracy damage, consistency of information etc.).

Mechanical Analysis Techniques
A hands-on opportunity to learn about measurement and instrumentation techniques for energetics experiments, particularly high-speed transient dynamic events associated with explosions. The candidate will learn about the following techniques:
  • Dynamic Mechanical Analysis;
  • Tensile Testing;
  • Farris Dilatometer;
  • Other techniques depending on particular project requirements.
/ Learning Outcomes
  • Understand instrumentation techniques (how and when to use them);
  • Experience of assisting in set up of a mechanical analysis experiments;
  • Understand technical aspect e.g. signal checking and conditioning and interpretation in context of the overall trial objective;
  • Understanding data to be collected and able to predict how/why a specific technique should be used (and how to maximise chances of data capture first time) with no unplanned equipment damage;
  • Able to predict likely problems (siting, accuracy damage, consistency of information etc.).

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