Robotic system for demiliterizing munitions

A system for demilitarizing munitions, comprising:

• a central controller configured to provide an operator interface that enables control of the system, including stop and start functions, while displaying real-time operational status, safety warnings, and flagged conditions requiring manual intervention;
• a plurality of workcells operatively coupled to the central controller, each workcell being operative to receive ordnance for sequential
• demilitarization processes, the plurality of workcells including at least the following:
• (a) an inspection and paint removal cell operative to inspect the ordnance, and in response to determining that outer surface stripping is required strip paint or other coatings from the outer surface of the ordnance for disposal of the paint or other coatings;
• (b) a defusing cell operative to detect the presence of a fuse and remove the fuse from the ordnance using a manipulator arm, the removed fuse being transferred for disposal;
• (c) a cutting and definning cell operative to remove external fins from the body of the ordnance, and cut into the body of the ordnance to determine if submunitions are present in the ordnance;
• and
• (d) a submunition demilitarization cell including a multi-axis robot arm and computer vision system, the submunition demilitarization cell being configured to perform submunition demilitarization processes without manual intervention, including operations via the multi-axis robot arm and the computer vision system to autonomously identify and remove individual submunitions from the ordnance, inspect each submunitions using the computer vision system to determine an armed state, and transfer each of the submunitions, based on the inspection, either to the cutting and definning cell for further mechanical separation or to a burn-out or disposal station for safe disposal;
• wherein the central controller is further configured to monitor each workcell and initiate system termination or intervention alerts when abnormal conditions are detected.