DEF STAN 00-035 Issue 5 A Guide to the Update

Since its fifth issue released in 2018, DEF STAN 00-35 has been revised with major updates. With a focus on greater clarity in guidance and increased alignment between procedures and severities, DEF STAN 00-035 Issue 5 provides a more streamlined testing process to both manufacturers and test providers. 

What is DEF STAN 00-035?

As an official Ministry of Defence (MoD) standard, DEF STAN 00-035 details the environmental testing required for defense materiel and equipment. It covers a comprehensive range of test methods, including mechanical durability, environmental simulation, chemical exposure and climatic changes. 

In this most recent issue, DEF STAN 00-035 contains additional guidelines about test sequences, updates to terminology and categorization, changes to formatting, and consolidation of test sections. 

“DEF STAN 00-035 Issue 5 changes the way that test sections are organized, as well as creating a more meaningful system for matching severities with procedures.”

What Has Changed in DEF STAN 00-035?

While most of the test methods have remained the same, many have been combined and sequenced to optimize efficiency and cost-effectiveness. DEF STAN 00-035 Issue 5 changes the way that test sections are organized, as well as creating a more meaningful system for matching severities with procedures. Although most of these updates are largely administrative, they represent a shift in the way environmental standards are defined, managed and reported. 

In this whitepaper, we’ll walk you through the changes in each section, highlighting what you need to know and how the update affects testing.

Part 1 (Control & Management)

This section has been revised to represent the new outline of the standard, highlight general changes in procurement procedures, and introduce new terminology.

What you need to know: There are significant changes to the layout of the standard, how tests are defined and classified, and how procedures are written.

How this affects testing: Because some sections of the standard have been realigned, reclassified or even omitted, there may be slight changes to the way test reports are organized.

Part 2 (Environmental Trials Program Derivation & Assessment Methodologies)

Part 2 of DEF STAN 00-035 has been updated to provide more appropriate evaluation and test criteria for test methodologies. It also establishes sequential environmental test programs, which weren’t present in previous versions.

What you need to know: Most of the changes in this section affect the level of guidance that is given to both manufacturers and test houses about test set ups and criteria. 

How this affects testing: Because this update specifies sequences for environmental testing, there may be changes to the order of testing, and what methods may be performed together.

Part 3 (Environmental Test Methods)

With changes to test procedures and severities, the updates in Part 3 have a significant impact on the new version of DEF STAN 00-035. From creating alignment between defense and commercial standards to streamlining test methods and severities, the update provides for greater efficiency in testing and reporting.

What you need to know: This section has been revised to reduce the amount of time and testing required for a product to achieve a “pass” rating. In addition to separating test methods from default severities and combining similar test procedures, all methods have been rewritten in a single, consistent format.

How this affects testing: Because redundant or similar procedures have been combined, the time and cost associated with testing may decrease depending on the program. Test procedures will also have clear definitions and guidance for outlining, performing the test, and verifying test results.

Additionally, since test methods and severities have been separated, different combinations can be tested that make more sense for different types of material and usage. 

Part 4 (Natural Environments)

Revisions to Part 4 include additional chapters that outline evaluation criteria for materiel exposed to climatic conditions. It also incorporates information from Part 6, which has been removed from DEF STAN 00-035 in an effort to streamline the standard.

What you need to know: The new chapters of Part 4 include additional requirements and guidance for testing equipment under naturally-occurring environmental conditions.

How this affects testing: Depending on the type of materiel being tested and the type of environment being simulated, there may be additional, revised or more specific criteria that must be met in order to achieve a “pass” rating. 

“Changes in [DEF STAN 00-035] will allow materiel to be tested against severities that make the most sense for the method being used, and provides greater flexibility for combining methods that can be completed in tandem.”

Part 5 (Induced Mechanical Environments)

In addition to providing additional instruction on the measurement of mechanical environments, the updates to Part 5 include analysis of mechanical test severities and new guidance on the evaluation of materiel against mechanical environments.

What you need to know: Part 5 provides new and updated information about evaluation criteria, measurement guidelines and test severities.

How this affects testing: Depending on the type of product being tested, there may be updates to the way that mechanical environments are set up and how results are measured.

Section 6 (Induced Climatic, Chemical and Biological Environments)

After a review of the standard, Part 6 was deemed redundant to STANAG Insensitive Munition Tests, and was withdrawn. Several tests were added to Part 4 and integrated into existing methods.

What to Expect from DEF STAN 00-035 Issue 5

By providing additional guidance, making distinctions between test methods and severities and placing greater emphasis on efficiency, DEF STAN 00-035 has significant impacts for both manufacturers and test houses. Changes in the standard will allow materiel to be tested against severities that make the most sense for the method being used, and provides greater flexibility for combining methods that can be completed in tandem.

For more information about DEF STAN 00-035 Issue 5 and how the new standard affects your testing program, contact our experts today.