What conditions commonly lead to the presence of UXO?

The presence of unexploded ordnance (UXO) is most commonly associated with military conflict or training exercises. During these situations, various types of munitions are deployed, and not all are detonated as intended. In military conflicts, a range of explosives may be used in different environments, leading to a significant likelihood that some will remain unexploded after the cessation of active hostilities. Similarly, training exercises involve the use of live munitions to prepare military personnel, and there can be failures in detonation or proper disposal, resulting in UXO left in training areas.

The deployment of ordnance in both combat and training scenarios creates a risk of munitions becoming buried in the ground or hidden in structures, leading to potential hazards for people and wildlife in those areas long after the conflict or exercise has ended. This is why military conflict or training exercises are the primary conditions that contribute to the presence of UXO.