Strategic Risk Assessment of Hazardous Energetic Chemicals in Defense Supply Chains: A Coupled Risk Framework for Ammonium Perchlorate (AP), RDX, and HMX

Sulfi  Indriani; Sri  Yanto; I Nengah  Putra; Firdah Dipi Juni  Kurniawati

doi:10.55927/ijar.v5i4.16438

Authors

Sulfi Indriani Defense Industry Study Program, Faculty of Defense Engineering and Technology, Republic of Indonesia Defense University
Sri Yanto Defense Industry Study Program, Faculty of Defense Engineering and Technology, Republic of Indonesia Defense University
I Nengah Putra Defense Industry Study Program, Faculty of Defense Engineering and Technology, Republic of Indonesia Defense University
Firdah Dipi Juni Kurniawati Defense Industry Study Program, Faculty of Defense Engineering and Technology, Republic of Indonesia Defense University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.55927/ijar.v5i4.16438

Keywords:

Energetic Materials, Defense Supply Chain, Risk Matrix, Process Safety, Strategic Resilience

Abstract

Energetic materials such as ammonium perchlorate (AP), RDX, and HMX are essential in modern defense systems but pose multidimensional risks across industrial supply chains. This study presents a literature-based assessment integrating hazard profiling with node-based risk characteristics; RDX shows high acute process instability, AP poses environmental risks due to perchlorate mobility in groundwater, and HMX presents strategic coupling risk from production interdependence. A Coupled Risk Triangle Model is proposed, framing energetic chemical governance as a dynamic system linking reactive instability, environmental persistence, and strategic supply concentration. The findings indicate that risks extend beyond occupational safety to environmental regulation and national security resilience. Effective mitigation therefore requires lifecyle-integrated governance, supply diversification, and resilience-oriented industrial strategies.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Abadin, H., & Liccione, J.J. (1997). Toxicological Profile for HMX. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Abdelaziz, A., Trache, D., Tarchoun, A. F., Boukeciat, H., Kadri, D. E., Hassam, H., Ouahioune, S., Sahnoun, N., Thakur, S., & Klapötke, T. M. (2024). Application of the co-crystallization method for the production of ammonium perchlorate/ammonium nitrate oxidizer for solid rocket propellants. Chemical Engineering Journal, 487. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2024.150654

American Pacific. (2017). Ammonium Perchlorate Safety Data Sheet. Safety Data Sheet. 01-2119490079-30-0001. West North, Cedar City.

Chen, W., He, N., Shi, Y., An, W., & Yang, M. (2020). Analysis of exposure routes and contribution rate of perchlorate in China. Kexue Tongbao/Chinese Science Bulletin, 65(14), 1387–1394. https://doi.org/10.1360/TB-2019-0845

Ekström, T. (2025). Supply Chain Resilience – An Empirical Exploration of Barriers and Enablers in Military Settings. Scandinavian Journal of Military Studies, 8(1), 119–136. https://doi.org/10.31374/sjms.350

EPA Federal Facilities Restoration, U., & Office, R. (2014). Technical Fact Sheet – Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX).

Galante, E. B. F., da Costa, D. M. B., Haddad, A. N., & dos Santos, I. J. A. L. (2014). Risk assessment for hexamine nitration into RDX. Journal of Aerospace Technology and Management, 6(4), 373–388. https://doi.org/10.5028/jatm.v6i4.380

LANL. (2000). Los Alamos, on behalf of DOE’s Environmental Management Los Alamos Field Office. Los Alamos Legacy Cleanup Contractor, N3B.

Li, C., Li, X., Ding, Y., Zhou, J., & Xiao, Z. (2023). Progress and future of green energetic materials. Science Bulletin, 68(25), 3311–3321. https://doi.org/10.1360/TB

Lucas, R., Ekström, T., Fusaro, P., Roer, E. H., & Retter, L. (2024). Toward Defense Supply Chain Disruption Management: A Research Agenda for Defense Supply Chain Resilience. www.rand.org/t/RRA2504-1.

Lynch, J. C., Brannon, J. M., & Delfino, J. J. (n.d.). Dissolution rates of three high explosive compounds: TNT, RDX, and HMX.

MacDonald, C.G. (2009). Eksplosive Hazard Team: Concept, Employment, and the Way Ahead. School and Experience Requirements for Explosive Hazards Team Members.

New Jersey Dept. of Health. (2000). Ammonium Perchlorate. Hazardous Substance Fact Sheet. 7790-98-9. UN 1442.

OECD Supply Chain Resilience Review. (2025). OECD Publishing.

Peng, D. J., Chang, C. M., & Chiu, M. (2004). Thermal reactive hazards of HMX with contaminants. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 114(1–3), 1–13.

PwC. (2025). Defense Supply Chains: The end of ambiguity. PwC Industry. United Kingdom.

Qian, Y., Jing, X., Yan, W., & Xi, P. (2023). The Methods and Characteristics of the Electrochemical Oxidation Degradation of HMX. Processes, 11(5).

Robidoux, P. Y., Bardai, G., Paquet, L., Ampleman, G., Thiboutot, S., Hawari, J., & Sunahara, G. I. (2003). Phytotoxicity of 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT) and octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) in spiked artificial and natural forest soils. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 44(2), 198–209.

Savard, K., Berthelot, Y., Auroy, A., Spear, P. A., Trottier, B., & Robidoux, P. Y. (2007). Effects of HMX-lead mixtures on reproduction of the earthworm Eisenia andrei. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 53(3), 351–358.

Sowik, I., & Ruzik, L. (2025). Organic Explosives in Plants and Soil: Accumulation, Analysis and Risk Assessment–A Review. In Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry. Taylor and Francis Ltd.

Supply Chain Illumination in the Department of Defense. (2025). “Leveraging Private-Sector Best Practices to Enhance DoD Supply Chain Visibility and Decision Making”. Defense Business Board Business Transformation Advisory Subcommittee.