In Service Surveillance In-service surveillance of ammunition is
undertaken to ensure that ammunition continues to meet the
required quality standards throughout its entire life cycle. As
explained by Mr. Adrian Wilkinson, surveillance is undertaken to
ensure "that the ammunition continues to meet the required
quality standards throughout its life. Quality, from this
perspective, includes the performance of ammunition during use
and its safety and stability during storage. The chemical,
electrical, and mechanical properties of ammunition change and
degrade with time, leading to a finite serviceable life for each
munition. The accurate assessment of munition life is of
paramount importance in terms of safety and cost." For further
explanation on the requirements for the in-service proof and
surveillance of ammunition see "Stockpile Management:
Surveillance and Proof" by Adrian Wilkinson in Conventional
Ammunition in Surplus, Small Arms Survey, 2008, Checklist on In
Service Surveillance The Protocol V Generic P