Nalas Closes Critical Capability Gap with First Delivery of BDNPA/F for U.S. Army Weapon Systems

Nalas is proud to announce the successful delivery of our first shipment of a critical chemical, BDNPA/F, to the U.S. Army. This milestone marks the culmination of over a decade of dedicated collaboration with the Army to establish a robust and reliable domestic manufacturing capability.

For years, the Army relied on a depleting stockpile of A/F, sourced from a manufacturer that had exited the market.

Recognizing the time-critical need for a new source, we embarked on a journey to address this capability gap, investing in advanced manufacturing technologies and building a team dedicated to A/F manufacturing.

“Seeing the first shipment of product leave Nalas docks was a significant milestone for our company,” said Jerry Salan, Nalas CEO. “It represents our unwavering commitment to quality, safety, and timely delivery for our nation’s defense.”

Early in development, Nalas identified an opportunity to enhance safety and efficiency of highly exothermic reactions through flow chemistry and continuous processing.  Corning’s Advanced-Flow Reactor (AFR) platform was identified as an enabling and scalable technology.  As early adopters of AFR technology, we first evaluated feasibility of its use in our development facility in Centerbrook, CT, which is recognized as a Corning-qualified AFR lab. Integrating the AFR platform into the overall process enabled its scaling from the lab in Centerbrook to full-scale production at our Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF) in Norwich, CT. This innovative approach, coupled with a newly commissioned Advanced Manufacturing Lab (AML) for rigorous testing and quality control, ensures the Army receives a consistently high-quality product.

The journey from development to production was met with many challenges. We navigated a global pandemic, inflationary pressures, and supply chain disruptions. We could not have overcome these obstacles without our incredible team and support from the Army.

We would like to extend our sincere gratitude to the entire Army IPT, including DEVCOM Armaments Center (AC) and the Joint Program Executive Office Armaments and Ammunition (JPEO A&A), to include PM MAS, PM CCS and PLJS, for their invaluable support and collaboration. We also thank Senator Chris Murphy and his team for their dedication to supporting small businesses and fostering job growth in Connecticut.

Nalas is now fully equipped to meet the DoD’s A/F production needs and is committed to sustaining this critical capability for years to come.

Figure 1. Production Team in Suite 1 of Nalas’ Advanced Manufacturing Facility (AMF)

Figure 2. Quality team in the Advanced Manufacturing Lab (AML)

Figure 3. AMF Team at Nalas’ Norwich Facility

Figure 4. Corning’s G3 AFR in Suite 1 of AMF

Figure 5. Corning’s G4 AFR in Suite 2 of the AMF

Figure 6. CINC 5-stage Centrifuge System in Suite 2 of AMF

Figure 7. Packed out drums of A/F on pallet ready for shipment!