DAOD 3002-2, Insensitive Munitions

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Definitions
3. Principles for the Use of Insensitive Munitions in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces
4. Compliance and Consequences
5. Responsibilities
6. References

1. Introduction

Date of Issue: 2004-07-30

Date of Last Modification: 2026-08-04

Date of Last Review: 2026-08-04

Application: This DAOD is a directive that applies to employees of the Department of National Defence (DND employees) and an order that applies to officers and non-commissioned members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF members).

Approval Authority: Director Ammunition and Explosives Regulation (DAER)

Enquiries: Director Ammunition and Explosives Regulation 2 (DAER 2)

2. Definitions

ammunition (munitions)

A device charged with explosives, propellants, pyrotechnics, initiating composition or nuclear, biological or chemical material, for use in military operations, and includes a non-charged or inert replica of such a device.

Note – For the purpose of this definition, “military operations” include ceremonies, exercises and training. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 15923)

explosive (explosif)

Any thing that is made, manufactured or used to produce an explosion or a detonation or pyrotechnic effect, and includes any thing prescribed to be an explosive by the regulations, but does not include gases, organic peroxides or any thing prescribed not to be an explosive by regulations made under the Explosives Act. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 16074)

insensitive munitions (munitions à risques atténués)

Ammunition or explosives which reliably fulfill their performance, readiness and operational requirements on demand and minimize the probability of inadvertent initiation and severity of subsequent collateral damage to weapon platforms, logistic systems and personnel when subjected to selected accidental and combat threats. (Defence Terminology Bank record number 41820)

3. Principles for the Use of Insensitive Munitions in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces

Overview

3.1 The DND and the CAF recognize that technological advances in design techniques, manufacture, and storage of ammunition and explosives have made the development of a range of insensitive munitions (IM) possible. Such ammunition and explosives remain effective for their intended applications but are less sensitive than their predecessors to selected accidental and combat threats such as extreme heat, fire, shock or impact environments.

3.2 The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has developed standardization agreements (STANAGs) setting out agreed criteria for the development and assessment of IM.

3.3 STANAG 4439, Policy for Introduction and Assessment of Insensitive Munitions (IM) has been ratified without reservation by Canada. Ratifying nations have agreed to develop, introduce or both into service munitions that are as insensitive as reasonably practicable.

Note – The word “munition” is the NATO equivalent of “ammunition”. The detailed requirements associated with STANAG 4439 are found in Allied Ordnance Publication (AOP) 39 Policy for Introduction and Assessment of Insensitive Munitions (IM) (available in English only).

3.4 The DND and the CAF are committed to preserving operational capability by ensuring IM are introduced or developed to:

1. enhance the survivability of and reduce combat and accidental damage to, infrastructure, platforms, weapon systems, and ammunition and explosives;
2. minimize accidental injury; and
3. potentially provide more cost effective and efficient transport, storage and handling.

3.5 When it is not feasible to introduce IM, consideration should be given to introducing equivalent products with a less dangerous hazard division.

Note – Hazard divisions are described in the United Nations Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations, Volume 1. For example, instead of an item in Hazard Division 1.1 (mass explosion hazard), an equivalent item in Hazard Division 1.2 (projection hazard but no mass explosion hazard) could be used.

IM Assessment Process

3.6 Except for ammunition and explosives in Hazard Division 1.4 (no significant hazard) as set out in the Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations, Volume 1, all ammunition and explosives used by the DND and the CAF must be assessed to demonstrate compliance with AOP-39 IM signature requirement goals.

3.7 The objective of an IM assessment is to determine the level of insensitivity of ammunition or explosives to selected accidental and combat threats. A summary of the expected responses to the stimuli is referred to as the IM signature. The IM assessment is conducted during the certification process set out in DAOD 3002-1, Certification of Ammunition and Explosives.

3.8 If ammunition and explosives are found to be non-compliant with the minimum IM signature requirements in AOP-39 during the validation process set out in DAOD 3002-1, they may still be approved for use by the appropriate authority in accordance with DAOD 3002-0, Ammunition and Explosives. The justification for selecting non-compliant ammunition and explosives must be documented.

Procurement of New and Replacement Stocks

3.9 Every opportunity should be taken to introduce IM technology during the:

1. procurement of new ammunition or explosives stocks that are new to CAF service; and
2. replacement of national ammunition or explosives stocks.

4. Compliance and Consequences

Compliance

4.1 DND employees and CAF members must comply with this DAOD. Should clarification of the policies or instructions set out in this DAOD be required, DND employees and CAF members may seek direction through their channel of communication or chain of command, as appropriate. Managers and military supervisors have the primary responsibility for and means of ensuring the compliance of their DND employees and CAF members with this DAOD.

Consequences of Non-Compliance

4.2 DND employees and CAF members are accountable to their respective managers and military supervisors for any failure to comply with the direction set out in this DAOD. Non-compliance with this DAOD may have consequences for both the DND and the CAF as institutions, and for DND employees and CAF members as individuals. Suspected non-compliance may be investigated. Managers and military supervisors must take or direct appropriate corrective measures if non-compliance with this DAOD has consequences for the DND or the CAF. The decision of a level one advisor or other senior official to take action or to intervene in a case of non-compliance, other than in respect of a decision under the Code of Service Discipline regarding a CAF member, will depend on the degree of risk based on the impact and likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from the non-compliance and other circumstances of the case.

4.3 The nature and severity of the consequences resulting from non-compliance should be commensurate with the circumstances of the non-compliance and other relevant circumstances. Consequences of non-compliance may include one or more of the following:

1. the ordering of the completion of appropriate learning, training or professional development;
2. the entering of observations in individual performance evaluations;
3. increased reporting and performance monitoring;
4. the withdrawal of any authority provided under this DAOD to a DND employee or CAF member;
5. the reporting of suspected offences to responsible law enforcement agencies;
6. the application of specific consequences as set out in applicable laws, codes of conduct, and DND and CAF policies and instructions;
7. other administrative action, including the imposition of disciplinary measures, for a DND employee;
8. other administrative or disciplinary action, or both, for a CAF member; and
9. the imposition of liability on the part of His Majesty in right of Canada, DND employees and CAF members.

Note – In respect of the compliance of DND employees, see the Treasury Board Framework for the Management of Compliance for additional information.

5. Responsibilities

Responsibility Table

5.1 The following table identifies the responsibilities associated with this DAOD:

6. References

Acts, Regulations, Central Agency Policies and Policy DAOD

• Explosives Act
• Framework for the Management of Compliance, Treasury Board
• DAOD 1000-8, Policy Framework for Safety and Security Management
• DAOD 3002-0, Ammunition and Explosives

Other References

• DAOD 3002-1, Certification of Ammunition and Explosives
• DAOD 3002-7, Ammunition and Explosives Risk Management
• Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods, Model Regulations, Volume 1, United Nations
• AOP–39, Policy for Introduction and Assessment and Development of Insensitive Munitions (IM) (available in English only)
• STANAG 4439, Policy for Introduction and Assessment of Insensitive Munitions (IM)