Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com (3) Modification kits which adapt new standard materiel or previously type-classified standard materiel. The approach chosen will be that which gives satisfactory results most economically, considering the extent of deployment in each area ofpotential use, the current technology level, and the time required for development. For example, if certain materiel is to be used only in areas where cold conditions prevail, materiel should be designed solely for the conditions of those areas. b. Climatic requirements as well as performance standards for operations, storage, and transit will be stated in requirement documents.
Because climatic requirements can have a substantial impact on acquisition and support costs, materiel will be designed, developed, and tested to operate under conditions less severe than the absolute extremes that may occur within the areas of intended use. This implies there is some risk of failure to operate at times. (See app A for discussion of risk levels.) The four climatic design types outlined in chapter 2 all contain some element of risk. Also because of cost considerations, it is general policy to accept reduced performance under the hot, cold, and severe cold conditions as compared to performance under the basic conditions. c.
Army materiel will be designed to be compatible with user personnel fully clothed and equipped for protection against conditions of potential use. d. Testing in climatic chambers will be fully and creatively exploited before testing in the natural environment. Test results from climatic chambers, however, cannot be interpreted as a total substitute for tests conducted in natural environments. e. Sites for field testing will be selected, if possible, to induce representative deterioration rates and performance challenges from all environmental effects that the newly developed materiel will be expected to encounter under tactical operational conditions.
When time and fund constraints permit sites with the highest materiel deterioration rates or most severe conditions may be selected. f. DA will support research to develop information about the areal and temporal distribution of climatic and terrain conditions that influence RDTE of materiel. g. The interaction of equipment with the environment should be considered in all phases of RDTE because the induced conditions may be quite different from those of the natural environment. Sheltered materiel must be designed to operate under the conditions within the shelter during operation in the stipulated areas. h.
For materiel that is sheltered, in limited use, or composed of materials that will be subject to change (structural, irreversible, or destructive) as a result of exposure to natural or induced climatic extremes during test, shipment, or storage, the developing agency will— (1) Develop protective devices that will permit shipment, storage, and operational use of such materiel in the climatic conditions for which it is intended. (2) Indicate by distinct markings and by warning statements from appropriate standards the actual climatic stress limits that should not be exceeded. i.
Potentially dangerous items (e.g., ammunition) will be designed to meet safety requirements for all climatic design values despite their chance of being used or the requirement to operate in those climates. An item developed for the basic climatic design type may fail in the more severe climatic conditions of the hot, cold, or severe cold types, and in some cases produce catastrophic or extremely hazardous results. 1–6. Major responsibilities. General responsibilities for research and development are contained in AR 70-1. Specific responsibilities for RDTE of materiel to ensure its usefulness under extreme climatic conditions are as follows: a.
The Deputy Chief of Staff for Research, Development, and Acquisition will— (1) Establish policy on climatic conditions to be included in the RDTE of Army materiel. (2) Approve permanent sites for testing materiel in the natural environment. b. The Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Plans will ensure that climatic requirements are defined in requirements documents. c. The Chief of Engineers will— (1) Develop climatic criteria for the RDTE of materiel and recommend their inclusion in DA guidance documents. (2) Conduct special climatic studies and prepare reports as a guide for RDTE of materiel to be used at a particular place or in a known limited area.
(See para 1-7a.) (3) Provide consulting services for interpretation of climatic conditions for the RDTE of materiel. When questions arise on the use or interpretation of this regulation, consultation with environmental scientists is encouraged. The agency listed below is the point of contact for providing environmental consultation services or directing developers to appropriate sources of information. Commander and Director US Army Engineer Topographic Laboratories ATTN: ETL-GS-A 4 AR 70–38 • 15 September 1979