New ARP 5412 and ARP 5416 Updates available for Aircraft Lightning Tests

New Revisions have recently been released for two important SAE aircraft lightning test practices, ARP 5412 and ARP 5416.   They are available now from Document Center Inc. in either paper or pdf format.  The two documents are critical to evaluating lightning susceptibility in aircraft.  They are ARP 5412 Revision B, “Aircraft Lightning Environment and Related Test Waveforms,” and ARP 5416 Revision A, “Aircraft Lightning Test Methods.”

ARP 5412B defines environment and test waveforms using the best lightning data and analysis currently available.  It was released to update the certification lightning environment and to address various issues brought up by members of the aerospace community.  Areas modified include the lightning parameter information and standards waveforms.

Within this document, standardized voltage and current waveforms have been derived to represent the lightning environment external to an aircraft. These standardized waveforms are used to assess the effects of lightning on aircraft.

ARP 5416A on the other hand is a compilation of test methods which have been updated to reflect the need for clarification to ensure consistency across test organizations, particularly with regards to high voltage tests and integrated system functional upset tests.  Also, originally some methods relied on the use of Polaroid film which is becoming obsolete, so photographic methods using modern camera technologies have been included in this revision.

This document describes how to conduct lightning direct effects tests and indirect system upset effects tests.  It presents test techniques for simulated lightning testing of aircraft and the associated systems.  Each test method is set out in a uniform format, describing the test purpose, test object, test setup, test waveforms (voltage and/or current), measurements and data recording, test procedure and data interpretation.  Guidance is provided on how to select the appropriate test or series of tests, and how the test results can be assessed.

You may also find these standards to be of interest:

  • RTCA-DO-160, Environmental Conditions and Test Procedures for Airborne Equipment
  • MIL-STD-461, Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment
  • MIL-STD-464, Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for Systems
  • IEC 61000-4-5, Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) – Part 4-5: Testing and Measurement Techniques – Surge Immunity Test

All SAE standards, including many obsolete editions, can be purchased at Document Center’s webstore, www.document-center.com.  Or contact us by phone (650-591-7600), fax (650-591-7617) or email (info@document-center.com).  We have expert staff available for you to assist with both standards purchases and the various questions and support services that the use of this compliance information requires.

New MIL-STD-464 Revision C: Electromagnetic Environmental Effects Requirements for Systems

MIL-STD-464C, the Department of Defense’s primary Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standard for systems, has just been released.  It is one of Document Center’s best selling military documents.

It is the latest in a long line of standards that goes back to at least MIL‑I‑6051, “Interference Limits and Methods of Measurement; Aircraft Radio and Electronic Installations,” released in 1950. The MIL‑STD‑464 replaced MIL-I-6051D and several other documents in 1997.

MIL‑STD‑464 is the DoD top‑level EMC (aka E3, electromagnetic environmental effects) requirement set for procurement of complete or modified systems.  This might be airborne, sea, space, and ground systems (like a tank or a submarine), including associated ordnance.

This standard contains two sections, the main body and an appendix. The main body of the standard specifies a baseline set of requirements. The appendix portion provides rationale, guidance, and lessons learned for each requirement to enable the procuring activity to tailor the baseline requirements for a particular application. The appendix also permits Government and Industry personnel to understand the purpose of the requirements and potential verification methodology for a design. The appendix is not a mandatory part of this document.

The document states that changes are too numerous to identify due to the extent of the modifications.  However, apart from a few changes to section 2, the revisions seem to cluster in section 3.

This standard, previous editions, and all other publicly distributed DoD standards are available from Document Center Inc. via our website, www.document-center.com, email (info@document-center.com), phone (650-591-7600), and fax (650-591-7617).

Feel free to contact our expert sales staff with any additional questions you might have.