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United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...
defense standard, often called a military standard, "MIL-STD", "MIL-SPEC", or (informally) "MilSpecs", is used to help achieve standardization objectives by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Standardization Standardization or standardisation is the process of implementing and developing technical standards based on the consensus of different parties that include firms, users, interest groups, standards organizations and governments. Standardizatio ...
is beneficial in achieving interoperability, ensuring products meet certain requirements, commonality, reliability, total cost of ownership, compatibility with
logistics Logistics is generally the detailed organization and implementation of a complex operation. In a general business sense, logistics manages the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of consumption to meet the requirements of ...
systems, and similar defense-related objectives. Defense standards are also used by other non-defense government organizations, technical organizations, and industry. This article discusses definitions, history, and usage of defense standards. Related documents, such as defense handbooks and defense specifications, are also addressed.


Definition of document types

Although the official definitions differentiate between several types of documents, all of these documents go by the general rubric of "military standard", including defense specifications, handbooks, and standards. Strictly speaking, these documents serve different purposes. According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO), military specifications "describe the physical and/or operational characteristics of a product", while military standards "detail the processes and materials to be used to make the product." Military handbooks, on the other hand, are primarily sources of compiled information and/or guidance. The GAO acknowledges, however, that the terms are often used interchangeably. Official definitions are provided by DoD 4120.24, ''Defense Standardization Program (DSP) Procedures,'' November 2014, USD (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics): For purposes of this article, "military standards" will include standards, specifications and handbooks.


Formats

The DOD has standards about the format of standards: * MIL-STD-961, Defense and Program-Unique Specifications Format and Content * MIL-STD-962, Defense Standards Format and Content * MIL-STD-967, Defense Handbooks Format and Content


Origins and evolution

Defense standards evolved from the need to ensure proper performance, maintainability and reparability (ease of MRO), and logistical usefulness of military equipment. The latter two goals (MRO and logistics) favor certain general concepts, such as interchangeability,
standardization Standardization or standardisation is the process of implementing and developing technical standards based on the consensus of different parties that include firms, users, interest groups, standards organizations and governments. Standardizatio ...
(of equipment and processes, in general), cataloging, communications, and training (to teach people what is standardized, what is at their discretion, and the details of the standards). In the late 18th century and throughout the 19th, the
American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...
and
French French (french: français(e), link=no) may refer to: * Something of, from, or related to France ** French language, which originated in France, and its various dialects and accents ** French people, a nation and ethnic group identified with Franc ...
militaries were early adopters and longtime developmental sponsors and advocates of interchangeability and standardization. By World War II (1939–1945), virtually all national militaries and trans-national alliances of the same ( Allied Forces,
Axis powers The Axis powers, ; it, Potenze dell'Asse ; ja, 枢軸国 ''Sūjikukoku'', group=nb originally called the Rome–Berlin Axis, was a military coalition that initiated World War II and fought against the Allies. Its principal members were ...
) were busy standardizing and cataloguing. The U.S. AN- cataloguing system (Army-Navy) and the British Defence Standards (DEF-STAN) provide examples. For example, due to differences in dimensional tolerances, in World War II American
screw A screw and a bolt (see '' Differentiation between bolt and screw'' below) are similar types of fastener typically made of metal and characterized by a helical ridge, called a ''male thread'' (external thread). Screws and bolts are used to ...
s, bolts, and nuts did not fit British equipment properly and were not fully interchangeable. Defense standards provide many benefits, such as minimizing the number of types of ammunition, ensuring compatibility of tools, and ensuring quality during production of military equipment. This results, for example, in ammunition and food cases that can be opened without tools; vehicle subsystems that can be quickly swapped into the place of damaged ones; and small arms and artillery that are less likely to find themselves with an excess of ammunition that does not fit and a lack of ammo that does. However, the proliferation of standards also has some drawbacks. The main one is that they impose what is functionally equivalent to a
regulatory Regulation is the management of complex systems according to a set of rules and trends. In systems theory, these types of rules exist in various fields of biology and society, but the term has slightly different meanings according to context. ...
burden upon the defense supply chain, both within the military and across its civilian suppliers. In the U.S. during the 1980s and early 1990s, it was argued that the large number of standards, nearly 30,000 by 1990, imposed unnecessary restrictions, increased cost to contractors (and hence the DOD, since the costs in the end pass along to the customer), and impeded the incorporation of the latest technology. Responding to increasing criticism, Secretary of Defense William J. Perry issued a memorandum in 1994 that prohibited the use of most military specifications and standards without a waiver. This has become known as the "Perry Memorandum". Many military specifications and standards were canceled. In their place, the DOD directed the use of performance specifications and non-government standards. “Performance specifications” describe the desired performance of the weapon, rather than describing ''how'' those goals would be reached (that is, directing which technology or which materials would be used). In 2005 the DOD issued a new memorandum, which eliminated the requirement to obtain a waiver in order to use military specifications or standards. The 2005 memo did not reinstate any canceled military specifications or standards. According to a 2003 issue of ''Gateway'', published by the Human Systems Information Analysis Center, the number of defense standards and specifications have been reduced from 45,500 to 28,300. However, other sources noted that the number of standards just before the Perry Memorandum was issued was less than 30,000, and that thousands have been canceled since then. This may be due to differences in what is counted as a “military standard”. Another potential drawback of thorough standardization is a threat analogous to monoculture (where lack of biodiversity creates higher risk of pandemic disease) or a ship without bulkhead compartmentalization (where even a small hull leak threatens the whole vessel). If an enemy discovers a drawback in a standardized system, the system’s uniformity leaves it vulnerable to complete incapacitation via what might otherwise have been a limited compromise. Also, if standardization promotes use by allies, it may also ease an enemy’s task of using
materiel Materiel (; ) refers to supplies, equipment, and weapons in military supply-chain management, and typically supplies and equipment in a commercial supply chain context. In a military context, the term ''materiel'' refers either to the spec ...
that is lost as a prize of war. However, this threat is somewhat academic, as even poorly standardized materiel presents a likelihood of supplying an enemy if overrun.


Non-exhaustive list of documents

A complete list of standards was maintained as Department of Defense Index of Specifications and Standards, up until 1993. * Cataloging Handbook H2, definitions for NATO Stock Number Federal Supply Groups and Federal Supply Classes *
Cataloging Handbook H4 In library and information science, cataloging ( US) or cataloguing ( UK) is the process of creating metadata representing information resources, such as books, sound recordings, moving images, etc. Cataloging provides information such as auth ...
, a handbook containing vendor CAGE code details *
Cataloging Handbook H6 In library and information science, cataloging ( US) or cataloguing ( UK) is the process of creating metadata representing information resources, such as books, sound recordings, moving images, etc. Cataloging provides information such as auth ...
, Item Name Directory for the NATO Codification System *
Cataloging Handbook H8 In library and information science, cataloging ( US) or cataloguing ( UK) is the process of creating metadata representing information resources, such as books, sound recordings, moving images, etc. Cataloging provides information such as auth ...
, another handbook containing vendor CAGE code details * MIL-STD-105, Sampling Procedures and Tables for Inspection by Attributes (withdrawn, see ASTM E2234) *
MIL-STD-130 MIL-STD-130, "Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property," is a specification that describes markings required on items sold to the Department of Defense (DoD), including the addition, in about 2005, of UII ( unique item identifier) Data Matri ...
, "Identification Marking of U.S. Military Property" * MIL-STD-167, Mechanical Vibration of Shipboard Equipment * MIL-STD-188, a series related to telecommunications * MIL-STD-196, a specification of the Joint Electronics Type Designation System (JETDS) * MIL-STD-202, "Electronic and Electrical Component Parts" test methods * MIL-STD-276, Standard for vacuum impregnation of porous metal castings and powdered metal components * MIL-STD-348, "Radio Frequency (RF) Connector Interfaces" * MIL-STD 461, "Requirements for the control of electromagnetic interference characteristics of subsystems and equipment" * MIL-STD-464, "Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for Systems" * MIL-STD-498, on software development and documentation * MIL-STD-499, on Engineering Management (System Engineering) *
MIL-STD-704 MIL-STD-704 Aircraft Electrical Power Characteristics is a United States Military Standard that defines a standardized power interface between a military aircraft and its equipment and carriage stores, covering such topics as voltage, frequency, pha ...
, "Aircraft Electric Power Characteristics" * MIL-STD-709, Design Criteria Standard for Ammunition Color Coding * MIL-STD-806, "Graphical Symbols for Logic Diagrams", originally a USAF standard * MIL-STD-810, test methods for determining the environmental effects on equipment * MIL-STD-882, standard practice for system safety * MIL-STD-883, test method standard for microcircuits *
MIL-STD-1168 The MIL-STD-1168 is a set of standard codes used to identify munitions (ammunition, explosives and propellants). It was designed to replace the previous confusing Ammunition Identification Code (AIC) system used by the United States Army Ordnance ...
, a classification system for ammunition production that replaced the
Ammunition Identification Code Ammunition (informally ammo) is the material fired, scattered, dropped, or detonated from any weapon or weapon system. Ammunition is both expendable weapons (e.g., bombs, missiles, grenades, land mines) and the component parts of other weapo ...
(AIC) system used during World War II. * MIL-STD-1234, sampling, inspection, and testing of pyrotechnics * MIL-STD-1246, particle and molecular contamination levels for space hardware (has been replaced with
IEST-STD-CC1246D For United States Military Standards, IEST-STD-CC1246 is the latest revision of MIL-STD-1246. This all came about in 1997, the Army Missile Command commissioned the Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) to revise and adopt MIL-S ...
). * MIL-STD-1376, guidelines for sonar transducers, specifically piezoelectric ceramics; * MIL-STD-1388-1A,
Logistics support analysis Logistics Support Analysis (LSA) is a structured approach to increase efficiency of maintenance and reduces the cost of providing support by preplanning all aspects of Integrated Logistics Support. A successful LSA will define those support req ...
(LSA) (canceled and s/s by MIL-HDBK-502, Acquisition Logistics) * MIL-STD-1388-2B, DOD requirements for a logistic support analysis record (canceled and s/s by MIL-PRF-49506, Logistics Management Information) *
MIL-STD-1394 MIL-STD-1394 and MIL-STD-1394B are Defense Standards, assigned as "PROVISIONS FOR EVALUATING QUALITY OF CAP CROWNS" by the United States Department of Defense, which control and maintain the specification. Like most mil-specs, they are freely obta ...
, this is concerned with the construction quality of hats and is often confused with IEEE 1394. * MIL-STD-1397, Input/Output Interfaces, Standard Digital Data, Navy Systems * MIL-STD-1472, Human Engineering * MIL-STD-1474, a sound measurement for small arms standard * MIL-STD-1464A, the Army Nomenclature System used in naming weapons and other materiel, like the
M16 rifle The M16 rifle (officially designated Rifle, Caliber 5.56 mm, M16) is a family of military rifles adapted from the ArmaLite AR-15 rifle for the United States military. The original M16 rifle was a 5.56×45mm automatic rifle with a 20-r ...
*
MIL-STD-1553 MIL-STD-1553 is a military standard published by the United States Department of Defense that defines the mechanical, electrical, and functional characteristics of a serial data bus. It was originally designed as an avionic data bus for use with ...
, a digital communications bus * MIL-STD-1589, " JOVIAL
programming language A programming language is a system of notation for writing computer programs. Most programming languages are text-based formal languages, but they may also be graphical. They are a kind of computer language. The description of a programming ...
" * MIL-STD-1661, a Navy standard for naming/designation * MIL-STD-1750, an instruction set architecture (ISA) for airborne computers * MIL-STD-1760, smart-weapons interface derived from MIL-STD-1553 * MIL-STD-1815, " Ada programming language" * MIL-STD-1913,
Picatinny rail The Picatinny rail ( or ), or Pic rail for short, also known as a MIL-STD-1913 rail, 1913 rail or STANAG 2324 rail (cancelled), is a military standard rail interface system that provides a mounting platform for firearm accessories. It was ...
, a mounting bracket on firearms * MIL-STD-2045, Connectionless Data Transfer Application Layer * MIL-STD-2196, pertains to optical fiber communications * MIL-STD-2361, pertains to digital development, acquisition, and delivery of Army administrative, training and doctrine, and technical equipment publications in SGML. * MIL-STD-2525, Joint Military Symbology ((The URL is incorrectly linked to APP6, the NATO standard and needs to be replaced.)) * MIL-STD-3011, Joint Range Extension Application Protocol (JREAP) * MIL-STD-6011, Tactical Data Link (TDL) 11/11B Message Standard (Link-11) * MIL-STD-6013, Army Tactical Data Link-1 (ATDL-1) * MIL-STD-6016, Tactical Data Link (TDL) 16 Message Standard (Link-16) * MIL-STD-6017, Variable Message Format (VMF) * MIL-STD-6040, United States Message Text Format (USMTF) * MIL-HDBK-310, GLOBAL CLIMATIC DATA FOR DEVELOPING MILITARY PRODUCTS * MIL-HDBK-881, Work Breakdown Structures for Defense Materiel Items (WBS) * MIL-I-17563C, Demonstrates a vacuum impregnation sealant is compatible with the application and that the sealant will not degrade or fail over the life of the part. *
MIL-PRF-38534 The MIL-PRF-38534 specification establishes the general performance requirements for hybrid microcircuits (hybrid integrated circuit), multi-chip modules (MCM) and, similar devices and the verification and validation requirements for ensuring that t ...
, General Specification For Hybrid Microcircuits. * MIL-PRF-38535, General Specification For Integrated Circuits (Microcircuits) Manufacturing. * MIL-PRF-46374, Watch, Wrist: General Purpose. * MIL-S-901, Shock Testing for Shipboard Equipment. *
MIL-E-7016F The military standard referred to as MIL-E-7016F, Electric Load and Power Source Capacity, Aircraft, Analysis of" addresses the methods and analysis of electric loads and source capacity on military aircraft. The use of the document is approved for ...
, pertains to the analysis of AC and DC loads on an aircraft. * MIL-S-82258, on
rubber Rubber, also called India rubber, latex, Amazonian rubber, ''caucho'', or ''caoutchouc'', as initially produced, consists of polymers of the organic compound isoprene, with minor impurities of other organic compounds. Thailand, Malaysia, and ...
swim fins. "Requirements for swim fins made of gum rubber for wear by military personnel for swimming purposes and for general utility"


See also

* American National Standards Institute * ASTM International * International standard * Institute of Environmental Sciences and Technology (IEST) *
Military technology Military technology is the application of technology for use in warfare. It comprises the kinds of technology that are distinctly military in nature and not civilian in application, usually because they lack useful or legal civilian application ...
*
Standardization Standardization or standardisation is the process of implementing and developing technical standards based on the consensus of different parties that include firms, users, interest groups, standards organizations and governments. Standardizatio ...
* Specification (technical standard) * Standards organization * Standardization Agreement (STANAG) *
U.S. Military connector specifications Electrical or fiber-optic connectors used by U.S. Department of Defense were originally developed in the 1930s for severe aeronautical and tactical service applications, and the Type "AN" (Army-Navy) series set the standard for modern military ...


References


Further reading

*Christensen, David S., David A. Searle, and Caisse Vickery, (1999), "The impact of the Packard Commission's recommendations on reducing cost overruns on defense acquisition contracts", ''Acquisition Review Quarterly'', v 6, no. 3:251-262

*DOD 4120.24-M, (2000), "DSP Policies & Procedures", Office of the Undersecretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology and Logistics), March. *Fowler, Charles A., (1994), "Defense acquisition: Grab the ax", '' IEEE Spectrum'', v 31, no. 10:55-59. *Kratz, Louis A., (2005), "Elimination of waivers to cite military specifications and standards in solicitations and contracts", Policy Memo 05-03, Assistant Deputy Undersecretary of Defense (Logistics Plans and Programs), Department of Defense, recorded in ''Defense Acquisition, Technology and Logistics'', July - August 2005, p 91

*McNally, William P., (1998), "Will commercial specifications meet our future air power needs?", ''Acquisition Review Quarterly'', v 5, no. 3:297-316

*Perry, William, (1994), Memorandum from the Secretary of Defense to the Secretaries of the Military Departments, "Specifications & standards -- A new way of doing business", June 29, The Pentagon, Office of the Secretary of Defense

*Poston, Alan, (2003), "The current state of human factors standardization", Gateway, Human Systems Information Analysis Center, v 14, no. 2:1-2

*Reig, Raymond W., (2000), "Baselining acquisition reform", ''Acquisition Review Quarterly'', v 7, no. 1:33-46

*U.S. General Accounting Office, (1994), ''Acquisition Reform: DOD Begins Program to Reform Specifications and Standards, Report to Congressional Committees'', October, GAO/NSIAD-95-14. *U.S. Department of Defense, (2000), ''MILSPEC Reform Final Report - An Ending: A New Beginning'', April, Office of the Under Secretary of Defense (Acquisition, Technology & Logistics), Defense Standardization Office. *van Opstal, Debra, (1994), "Roadmap for MILSPEC reform: A national imperative", ''Program Manager'', v 23, no. 1:10-13. {{refend


External links


Defense Standardisation Program
– the official source for defense and federal specifications and standards, military handbooks, commercial item description, data item descriptions, and related standardization documents either prepared by, or adopted by, the Department of Defense
Acquisition Streamlining and Standardization Information System (ASSIST)
– database of approved defense and federal standardization documents, adopted non-government standards (NGS), and U.S. ratified materiel International Standardization Agreements (ISAs)
Defense Standards (Gov IT Wiki)
– where to obtain defense standards and specifications Military of the United States standards,