This Part provides guidance on the derivation of environmental trials programmes to be used in materiel type approval test or assessment campaigns for the purpose of demonstrating compliance against environmental requirements.

Part 2 currently contains two processes that should be considered as framework documents supported by examples on their application. Both processes extensively invoke the other Parts of this Standard. Although the processes themselves can be considered to be comprehensive, they cannot be expected to cover every nuance associated with the development of compliance programmes for materiel qualification. Therefore, it is incumbent upon the user to ensure that any mismatches between the process and specific project requirements are identified and dealt with satisfactorily.

Section 2 comprises a process for developing a sequential test programme. The purpose of the process is to demonstrate the engineering principles involved when evaluating the environmental, design programme and laboratory inputs necessary to develop a sequential test programme. The process is comprehensive and systematically addresses the issues to be resolved. It is designed for use by MOD and contractors.

A specific aim of Section 2 is to assist the development of materiel type approval trials & assessment programmes, which cover all the necessary issues, regardless of the environmental expertise within the programme development body. In this way a common benchmark can be generated against which different tenderers, to a common Invitation-to-Tender (ITT), can be fairly and rigorously compared and evaluated.

Section 3 presents a series of idealised generic usage profiles and associated environmental data for assessment requirements covering the storage, transportation and service deployment of materiel. The principal purpose of these profiles and assessment requirement data is to provide the basis from which a satisfactory set of project specific environmental requirements can be compiled with minimum iteration. This process is also designed for use by MOD and contractors.

A specific aim of Section 3 is to assist the development of a consistent set of project specific usage profiles and environmental requirements that is suitable for inclusion in the project specific ERS. In addition, the format of Section 3 has been designed to provide guidance to MOD IPTs when compiling the environmental requirement sections of ITT documentation.

Section 4 is an addition that provides links to related processes. Currently this section refers to AECTP 600 under cover of STANAG 4570 which presents a process for evaluating the ability of materiel to meet extended life requirements.