The Australian Defence Force necessarily has a large range of explosives and propellants that are sparingly used in peace time but are held in sizeable numbers for war. The safe life of bombs, torpedoes, rocket motors, flares, etc. is not easily determined, particularly in tropical climates.
Manufacturers are often overly conservative in specifying safe lives.
DSTO's knowledge of explosive chemistry and testing capabilities has been used to enable the ADF to set new safe lives which are often considerably longer than that given in advice from manufacturers and other defence forces. In 1990-91, Canada reported that similar warhead fills had deteriorated and had become potentially dangerous. RAN was concerned and considered immediate refilling with an appropriate explosive. However, before embarking on that route, DSTO was tasked to analyse the torpedo warhead fills to ascertain the condition of the RAN fills and assess what remaining safe life could be recommended. It was found that the warhead fills were not dangerous, their explosive properties conformed to the original specification and while analysis showed that some change had taken place, the changes were small and the materials still retained satisfactory structural properties and satisfactory levels of plasticiser and stabiliser.