MIL-STD Compliance and Testing

What is MIL-STD? MIL-SPEC?

Military Standard (MIL-STD) is a term for defense standards created by the US Department of Defense (DoD). MIL-STDs are detailed documents that establish uniform engineering and technical requirements for military-unique or substantially modified commercial processes, procedures, practices, and methods. These standardization documents are used by the US DoD and industry to ensure that technology and equipment for the US military and allies achieve standardization objectives. Having things standardized allows commonality, reliability, compatibility between systems, ensuring products meet certain requirements and overall interoperability.

On the other hand, MIL-SPEC is a defense specification document that describes the essential technical requirements for purchased material. If a material, product, or service fails to meet the specifications, it's considered "out of spec". MIL-SPEC describes a product's physical or operational characteristics, while MIL-STD sets standards on how products are to be designed, built, and tested.

MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461G

The two MIL-STDs that are most relevant to rugged computers and laptops are MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461G.

MIL-STD-810H (formerly MIL-STD-810G)

The MIL-STD-810H standard focuses on resistance to environmental conditions. Extreme temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, and altitude are just a few of the tests outlined in this 200+ page document. Products tested to this standard are placed through rigorous testing procedures to determine reliability and durability under various simulated harsh environments. MIL-STD-810 is widely used by the US Army, Navy, and Air Force.

MIL-STD-461G

The MIL-STD-461G certification applies to electronic systems and focuses on electromagnetic (EM) compatibility, as detecting rogue signals can potentially cause electromagnetic interference with nearby components and devices in a vehicle, aircraft or ship.

Acme Portable offers rugged portable solutions that are MIL-STD compliant

MIL-SPEC computers are designed to be durable and reliable in the most extreme environments and for the most challenging computing applications. Many of our MIL-SPEC portable systems have been tested to meet MIL-STDs. These rugged systems are built to withstand and operate in extreme high and low temperatures, dust storms, bright sunlight, humidity, shock, and vibration. Military applications that require MIL-SPEC systems include C4ISR, ground control (GCS), geospatial, UAV surveillance, and more.

Our MIL-SPEC systems are not exclusively for military use. These solutions can also be employed in a wide range of heavy industrial markets, such as oil & gas, offshore rigs, heavy construction areas, and aerospace, where consistent operation and low maintenance is essential.

Acme Portable has decades of designing and manufacturing rugged portable computer systems and solutions for mission critical programs. We are determined to work with customers on meeting your compliance testing needs. Contact us today to discuss your specific testing requirements.