Energetic materials, essential for rocket propulsion, play a crucial role in aerospace systems. These materials lack sufficient safety assessments and pose significant risks to life and infrastructure. The slow progress in this field is hindered by prohibitively high experimental costs and the inherently destructive nature of these experiments. This study aimed to evaluate modeling-based safety assessments, primarily utilizing the Lee–Tarver model. It specifically addressed the threat posed by shaped charges during transportation. Experimental analyses employed 50 mm JH-2 shaped charges, targeting RDX-based JH-2 formulation, since RDX is widely used in various rocket motor propellant formulations. TNT was also used to enhance the validation of the Lee–Tarver model findings. Various logistical configurations were explored, testing steel container walls ranging from 10 mm thickness to reinforced walls of 50 mm, 60 mm, and 65 mm steel. Comparative analysis with experiments reinforced the accuracy of the Lee–Tarver model’s numerical predictions. Both simulations and experiments affirmed that a 65 mm steel protection suffices for the safe transportation of RDX-based JH-2 formulations and TNT within a 10 mm storage box in logistical setups. Furthermore, this study emphasizes the Lee–Tarver model’s reliability for most energetic materials safety assessments, while acknowledging certain limitations.

The detonation of conventional munitions due to accidents or hostile actions causes urban destruction and loss of life, underscoring the need for improved safety measures. This study addresses the scarcity of research in munitions safety by investigating the threat of small and medium munitions. Experimental setups using 50mm shaped charges were developed and simulated with ANSYS AUTODYN, featuring JH-2 explosive and oxygen free high conductivity copper liner. Aluminum buffer plates were added to align jet energy levels with small and medium munitions' requirements. Safety assessments of JH-2 explosive against standard charges utilized φ45x40mm JH-2 targets covered with steel. Numerical simulations employed the Lee-Tarver ignition and growth model, comparing JH-2 explosive response with insensitive explosives like LX-17 and TATB. Results showed JH-2's failure in experimental tests, corroborated by simulations, while TATB and LX-17 remained stable. This study advocates for the adoption of cost-effective, insensitive explosives in next generation weaponry to mitigate unintentional detonations.