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What is MIL-STD-810G?
MIL-STD-810G is a US military specification that guarantees a level of durability for a piece of technology. Specifically, it means the equipment has gone through a series of 29 tests. These put the devices up against shock, vibration, heat, cold, gunfire shock, humidity, and more. Any MIL-STD-810G device should be field-ready or even “combat-ready” in principle. Most technology sold to the US military must be MIL-STD-810G compliant. To win contracts, manufacturers will likely need to demonstrate that this is the case.
What does having MIL-STD-810G compliance mean?
If a device boasts MIL-STD-810G compliance, it should, in theory, be durable. It will be far more likely to survive drops and harsh environmental conditions. MIL-STD-810G devices have gone through 29 tests to prove their high level of resistance. These tests include resistance to a bevy of things that can hurt a device in hostile or harsh environments. MIL-STD-810G devices are tested against:
- Low pressure
- High temperature
- Low temperature
- Temperature shock
- Fluid contamination
- Solar radiation
- Rain
- Humidity
- Fungus
- Salt fog
- Sand and dust
- Explosive atmosphere
- Immersion
- Acceleration
- Vibration
- Acoustic noise
- Shock
- Pyroshock
- Acidic atmosphere
- Gunfire shock
- Temperature, humidity, vibration, and altitude
- Icing/freezing rain
- Ballistic shock
- Vibro-acoustic/temperature
- Freeze/thaw
- Time waveform replication
- Rail impact
- Multi-exciter
- Mechanical vibrations of shipboard equipment
What is MIL-STD-810H?
While MIL-STD-810G is a much more common standard within the industry, a newer standard succeeds it. The tests carried out are the same (listed in the previous section), but tests have been updated with new standards for better accuracy and ruggedness.
The difference between MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-810H might be minuscule for most users, but it’s essential to keep it in mind if you want the latest military standard revision.
MIL-STD-810H is becoming very common with newer rugged devices, so you probably won’t have issues finding a device with the latest standard.