Message posted by habu-e6 on September 13, 2009 at 9:04:46 PST:
Formally known as the Propellant, Explosive, and Pyrotechnic Thermal Treatment Evaluation and Test Facility. Instruments inside the Bang Box measure emissions from detonations and burns of volatile and semivolatile organic compounds resulting from OB/OD of propellants, explosives, and energetic munitions. The technology of worker safety and environmental protection is astounding. It is the realization of lessons learned in the past that will guide present and future projects including hypersonic projects. For example: All one has to do is check out the recently released documents for Environmental Assessments and compare them to previously release documents, you'll see there are major contradictions. It's these laws that have dramatically raise the cost for black programs. This is not a bad thing but rather a positive way of pointing the way for new and better technologies. The real hardcore issues come from the back rooms and financial centers before projects are ever started. The best laid plans will prevail. This must be done by restricting cost in other areas. So what we are seeing is smaller shorter programs yet in many ways more technically advance in shorter periods of time. Advance technology contractors nowadays have to make their plans with these extra cost in mind and they must face the facts their program may be cut after they've made huge investments. The technical issues involved in complying with EPA may be just as challenging as the project itself. Laws and Regulations now commit the Feds to environmental ethics and responsibility. It's a teeth grinding effort, the learning curve is steep but they have come a long way.
The problem with the SR-71 was not its expense to operate and physical complexity but rather it's ability to overcome the technical issues in complying with environmental and safety laws.
Replies: