MIL-STD-810H is a Department of Defense standard that contains materiel acquisition program planning and engineering direction for considering the influences that environmental stresses have on materiel throughout all phases of its service life.
MIL-STD-810H does not impose design or test specifications. It does describes the environmental tailoring process that results in realistic materiel designs and test methods based on materiel system performance requirements.
The important thing to remember about MIL-STD-810H is that it emphasizes tailoring an equipment’s environmental design and test limits to the conditions that it will experience throughout its service life, and establishing chamber test methods that replicate the effects of environments on the equipment rather than imitating the environments themselves.
The standard’s guidance and test methods are intended to:
- Define environmental stress sequences, durations, and levels of equipment life cycles
- Be used to develop analysis and test criteria tailored to the equipment and its environmental life cycle
- Evaluate equipment’s performance when exposed to a life cycle of environmental stresses
- Identify deficiencies, shortcomings and defects in equipment design, materials, manufacturing processes, packaging techniques and maintenance methods
- Demonstrate compliance with contractual requirements
MIL-STD-810H has 28 different test methods. However, most products do not have to be tested to all 28 test methods. The type of product and end use of the product most often determines the test plan. Some of the test methods are general and others are very specific.
Testing to MIL-810 H can be mandatory if the end user is the military. It can also be mandatory if the product is a component that can eventually be used in a military product. In these cases, testing is mandatory.
MIL-810 testing can also provide a marketing advantage. Many products are marked rugged or ruggedized. This term and the statement of MIL-810 compliance can provide a competitive advantage over other products.
It is important for manufacturers to conduct market research and speak with sellers and distributors before developing a test plan.
Want to learn more? Tonex offers MIL-STD-810H Training | Military Standard 810H Testing Training, a 3-day course that focuses on the purpose of MIL-STD-810H tests, the test environment and equipment, and the methodology required to perform each test.
For more information, questions, comments, contact us.