MIL-STD 331 Environmental and Performance Tests for Ignition Components

EUROLAB Laboratory carries out the tests used by the Ministry of Defense (DoD) to determine the safety, reliability and performance characteristics of weapon system fuses and fuse components at any stage of their life cycle, according to the MIL-STD 331 standard, with its expert team and technological infrastructure.

Tests are grouped according to the environment to which the fuse is exposed or the test purpose. Some tests combine two or more environments; for example, vibration when exposed to extreme temperatures. In these cases, the test is grouped according to the primary environment evaluated.

Below is a summary of the five test groups of MIL STD 331:

Group A – Mechanical Shock Tests. Fuses are subject to single or repeated blows, often simulating misuse that can occur during logistical or operational cycles.

Group B – Vibration Tests. Fuses are subject to vibrations with predicted, specified frequency, amplitude and duration simulation conditions during transport or tactical use.

Group C – Climate Test. Fuses are exposed to realistic extreme climatic conditions for specified periods.

Group D – Safety, Installation and Operational Tests. These tests measure the performance characteristics of fuses such as explosion safety, tripping distance or time, and output.

Group E – Aircraft Ordnance Tests. Airborne munitions fuses are subject to impacts or forces during takeoff and landing, which may be encountered when munitions are accidentally separated from an aircraft or deliberately safely dropped.

Group F – Electric and Magnetic Impact Tests. Fuses, electrostatic discharge (ESD), electromagnetic pulse (EMP), electromagnetic radiation (EMR), lightning, etc. exposed to the environment.

MIL-STD-331 is periodically revised. Current versions of the standard include MIL-STD-331 C, MIL-STD-331 B, and MIL-STD-331 A.