Downloaded from https://www.everyspec.com Chapter 1 GENERAL POLICIES AND PROCEDURES 1–1. Purpose. This regulation prescribes policies, responsibilities, and planning guidance for realistic consideration of climatic conditions in the research, development, test, and evaluation (RDTE) of material used in combat by the Army. The principal classes of materiel used in combat are— a. Mechanical assemblies for ground use (e.g., tank). b. Mechanical assemblies for air use (e.g., helicopter). c. Electrical and electronic equipment (e.g., radio). d. Optical equipment (e.g., rangefinder). e. Weapons (e.g., missile). f. Ammunition (e.g., artillery shell). g. Hydrocarbon fuels and lubricants. h.
Construction materials and equipment. 1–2. Applicability. a. This regulation applies to items of materiel— (1) Developed by the Army. (2) Developed by another Service to meet Army’s requirements and Army— (a) Approves the requirements documents. (b) Has budget responsibility. (c) Is the user. b. For materiel developed for the sole use of another service, the policy of the using service will apply. c. This regulation does not apply to the Army National Guard or the Army Reserve. d. It defines the climatic conditions materiel may be exposed to and gives guidance in the selection of appropriate test levels for some test procedures.
It does not define test procedures, because there may be valid reasons for performing tests under conditions that are not entirely realistic. Four climatic design types, differentiated by tempera- ture characteristics, are in chapter 2. These design types give guidance in preparing requirements documents and other documents covering RDTE and procurement of Army materiel. A map showing locations of the four types of design criteria is included (fig. 2-1). e. This regulation is concerned primarily with the mechanical operation or functioning of materiel under the extremes of climate to which it is likely to be exposed.
It is recognized that some environmental elements or conditions (smoke, haze, fog, shimmer, and clouds, for example) may affect the ability of some materiel, particularly Electro- optical equipment, to perform its mission. Unfortunately, the effects of these environmental factors on the operation of electro-optical devices cannot be reliably quantified at this time. Therefore, design criteria for visibility requirements are not given in this regulation. f.
Although climate is the most important element of the total natural environment as far as military equipment design is concerned, other environmental elements such as vegetation, soils, landforms, and biological agents also affect the performance of materiel. In some cases, these factors may be more responsible for deterioration and failure than climate. No attempt is made to specify criteria for these non-climatic elements in this regulation. It is recom- mended that, wherever appropriate, they be stated in requirement documents. g. Provisions of this publication are the subjects of international standardization agreements (QSTAG 360 and STANAG 2831).
When amendment, revision, or cancellation of this publication is proposed that will affect or violate the international agreements concerned, the proponent will take appropriate reconciliation action through international standardization channels. 1–3. Explanation of terms. The following terms apply to this regulation. a. Climatic design types. Four climatic design types are differentiated on the basis of worldwide temperature regimes. They are— (1) Hot climatic design type. (2) Basic climatic design type. (3) Cold climatic design type. (4) Severe cold climatic design type. Areas of the world where these types apply are shown in figure 2-1. 1 AR 70–38 • 15 September 1979