The tailoring process described in this Standard (i.e., systematically considering detrimental effects that various environmental factors may have on a specific materiel system throughout its service life) applies throughout the materiel acquisition cycle to all materiel developed for military or commercial applications, including foreign and non-development item (NDI) procurements, procurements, or modifications of Allied systems or materiel, and cooperative development opportunities with one or more Allied nations to meet user and interoperability needs (DODD 5000.01).
- a. Part One lays out a disciplined, tailored approach for acquiring systems that will withstand the stresses of climatic, shock and vibration environments that they expect to see in their service lives. The basic process for acquiring materiel that satisfies users' needs from this environmental engineering viewpoint is depicted on Figure 1-1.
- b. Part Two also is an integral part of the environmental tailoring process. It contains tailoring information, environmental stress data, and laboratory test methods. The environmental data contained in the Methods may help, but should not be used exclusively to define environmental stresses that materiel will encounter throughout its service life. This will help engineers to tailor analyses and tests to specific materiel and its defined life cycle. It is not valid to call out all of the Methods in this Standard in a blanket fashion for a materiel system; nor is it valid, once a Method is determined appropriate, (except for Method 528) to regard the environmental stress data, test criteria, and procedures in the Method as unalterable.
MIL-STD-810H
- c. Part Three provides planning guidance for realistic consideration (starting points) of climatic conditions in the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDTE) of materiel and materials used throughout their life cycles in various climatic regions throughout the world. It is intended that this and related documents will help achieve the objective of developing materiel that will perform adequately under the environmental conditions likely to be found throughout its life cycle in the areas of intended use.
- d. Guidance and test Methods of this Standard are intended to:
- (1) Provide guidance of the development of materiel life cycles and aid in the development of environmental stress sequences, durations, and test levels.
- (2) Be used to develop analysis and test criteria tailored to the materiel and its environmental life cycle.
- (3) Evaluate materiel performance when exposed to a life cycle of environmental stresses.
- (4) Identify deficiencies, shortcomings, and defects in materiel design, materials, manufacturing processes, packaging techniques, and maintenance methods.
- (5) Demonstrate compliance with contractual requirements.
e. For the purpose of this document the following shall apply for Mandatory, Recommended, Guidance, and Optional Words:
- (1) The word "shall" establishes a requirement.
- (2) The word “will” establishes a declaration of purpose on the part of the design activity.
- (3) The word “should” establishes a recommended practice.
- (4) The word "may" establishes an allowed practice.
- (5) The words “typical,” “example,” “for reference,” or the Latin abbreviation “e.g.” indicate suggestions given for guidance only.
- (6) The word "or" used in conjunction with a requirement or a recommended practice indicates that there are two or more options for complying with the stated requirement or practice.