Ballistics/MIL-SPEC

Ballistic and Military Standards Testing

GVIRL has been serving the needs of the U.S. government, military, and commercial sectors for fifty years. GVIRL technical experts have the knowledge, experience and dedication to successfully conduct extensive evaluation and testing programs. We can provide complete turnkey solutions for MIL-STD testing and other compliance programs, helping you manage risk, improve safety and develop better products overall.

Our Facilities

• GVIRL Camden: Our Camden, AR facility is one of the most complete independent weapons and ordnance testing facilities in the country. Home of the National Ordnance and Ballistic Test Center, GVIRL Camden hosts an advanced suite of simulation, data acquisition and analysis tools, and we can provide the intelligence and insights necessary to streamline the MIL-STD testing process. Notable features include a 3000 meter firing range, drop tower facility, a vibration testing system capable of testing up to 40,000 force pounds, and a set of hazardous material shakers that can be run at temperatures between -150 and 300°F. With these and other advanced technologies,GVIRL is equipped to satisfy the defense industry’s testing and evaluation needs well into the future.
• GVIRL Wichita and Chesapeake Testing: GVIRL Wichita and Chesapeake locations are home to our body armor and small arms testing facilities. Staffed by a team of engineers with a background in ballistics analysis for defense and law enforcement, these facilities are able to expedite compliance with MIL-STD-662F, NIJ 0101.06 and other standards. Key features include indoor and outdoor ranges, non-ballistic testing laboratories (STAB), X-ray CT scanning, and environmental conditioning along with a suite of advanced data acquisition tools including Doppler radar, Phantom high speed cameras and FARO laser scanning software.
• GVIRL Dana Point: Our Dana Point, California testing lab offers expertise in developing custom ordinance testing protocols for military, aerospace and other applications. The team at Dana Point can provide projectile and rocket motor analyses, interior ballistics modeling and other services necessary to complete MIL-STD-810 testing.
• GVIRL Rustburg: The GVIRL lab in Rustburg, VA is a certified MIL-DTL-901E (MIL-STD-901D) heavyweight and lightweight test facility. Featuring floating shock platforms that can test up to 125,000 pounds, GVIRL Rustburg can also perform MIL-STD-167-1 vibration testing, temperature and humidity testing and more.
• GVIRL Anaheim & Baltimore: GVIRL materials testing laboratories in Anaheim and Baltimore offer extensive electrical, mechanical, and materials testing to military specifications including MIL-PRF-55110, MIL-PRF-31032, MIL-PRF-50884, MIL-STD-202, MIL-STD-883.

What Military Specifications Are Tested

• MIL-STD-810— the “Department of Defense Test Method Standard for Environmental Engineering Considerations and Laboratory Tests” — covers most of the environmental factors encountered during the use of military equipment in all stages of its service life. MIL-STD-810 testing involves replicating these conditions in a controlled laboratory environment through the use of temperature, humidity, shock, vibration, acceleration and other simulation equipment.
  • Method 501.2 – High Temperature
  • Method 502.4 – Low Temperature
  • Method 503.4 – Temperature Shock
  • Method 507.4 – Humidity
  • Method 509.4 – Salt Fog (Spray/Corrosion)
• MIL-STD-461— the “Department of Defense Requirements for the Control of Electromagnetic Interference Characteristics of Subsystems and Equipment” — covers the EMC and EMI requirements for all electrical and electronic equipment used in defense applications. GVIRL has a network of facilities that can perform MIL-STD-461 testing in-house using highly controlled, anechoic chambers. We can also perform MIL-STD-461 testing in situ, when it is required for components that are too large or too expensive to transport to one of our locations.
• MIL-STD-2105— the “Department of Defense Test Method Standard Hazard Assessment Tests For Non-Nuclear Munitions” — involves fragment impact testing, external fire, fast and slow cook-off testing, and bullet-impact testing using small- and medium-caliber ammunition. The National Ordinance and Ballistics Center at GVIRL Camden (Arkansas) is equipped with multiple firing ranges and sophisticated monitoring equipment for performing testing to all MIL-STD-2105 requirements.
• MIL-DTL-901E— the “Department of Defense Requirements for Shock Tests, High Impact, Shipboard Machinery, Equipment, and Systems” — is the military standard governing shock-resistance requirements for shipboard equipment. MIL-DTL-901E certification is required for principle devices, subsidiary components and subassembly components, including both those that are essential for safety and combat, and those that could become hazardous to the crew if exposed to shock. Shock testing to MIL-S-910 standards can be performed at GVIRL labs across the country. Our Rustburg, VA location is specially equipped with a 36-acre facility with an 1,800 x 250 x 130-ft. quarry for heavyweight applications.
• MIL-STD-167— “Department of Defense Test Method Standard: Mechanical Vibrations of Shipboard Equipment” — is similar to MIL-STD-901D but covers specifically the effects of environmentally and internally excited vibrations on shipboard equipment. Replicating these factors in a controlled laboratory environment requires powerful shakers and precise instrumentation. GVIRL maintains some of the best-equipped facilities in the country for MIL-STD-167 vibration testing. Contact our head office to discuss your requirements and find a testing lab near you.

GVIRL has been a partner to defense and naval contractors for more than 50 years. In addition to the above, we can provide testing to other MIL standards, including MIL-STD-120 (gage inspection), MIL-STD-248 (welding and brazing procedures), MIL-STD-516 (airworthiness) and MIL-STD-767 (control of hardware cleanliness). For more information, request a quote or contact an GVIRL location near you.

MIL-PRF-55110 – Performance Specification – General Specification for Printed Wiring Board, Rigid

• Qualification
• Group A Inspection
• Group B Inspection

MIL-PRF-31032 – Performance Specification – General Specification for Printed Circuit Board/Printed Wiring

• Qualification
• Lot Conformance Inspection
• Periodic Conformance Inspection

MIL-PRF-50884D – General Specification for Printed-Wiring, Flexible and Rigid-Flex

• Qualification
• Group A Inspection
• Group B Inspection
• Group C Inspection

MIL-I-46058C – Military Specification Insulating Compound, Electrical (for Coating Printed Circuit Assemblies)

• Qualification Inspection – Table I
• Group A Inspection – Table II
• Group B Inspection – Table III
• Group C Inspection – Table IV

MIL-STD-202 – Test Method Standard Electronic and Electrical Component Parts

• Method 101 – Salt Atmosphere (Corrosion)
• Method 103 – Humidity (Steady State)
• Method 106 – Moisture Resistance
• Method 107 – Thermal Shock
• Method 108 – Life (at Elevated Temperature)
• Method 111 – Flammability (External Flame)
• Method 208 – Solderability
• Method 211 – Terminal Strength
• Method 215 – Resistance to Solvents
• Method 302 – Insulation Resistance
• Method 307 – Contact Resistance

MIL-STD-883 – Test Method Standard – Microcircuits

• Method 1003 – Insulation Resistance
• Method 1004.7 – Moisture Resistance
• Method 1005.9 – Steady State Life
• Method 1009.8 – Salt Atmosphere (Corrosion)
• Method 1010.8 – Temperature Cycling
• Method 1011.9 – Thermal Shock
• Method 2003.10 – Solderability
• Method 2008.1 – Visual and Mechanical
• Method 2009.11 – External Visual
• Method 2011.9 – Bond Strength (Destructive Bond Pull Test)
• Method 2015.15 – Resistance to Solvents
• Method 2016 – Physical Dimensions

MIL-STD-1130 – Standard Practice – Connections, Electrical, Solderless Wrapped

• Paragraph 5.6.2 – Gas Tight
• Paragraph 5.6.4 – Wrapper Resistance

Defense Testing Highlights

Highlights of GVIRL defense industry testing capabilities include:

• Fully instrumented small, medium and large caliber ranges
  • Calibers up to 155mm
  • Ranges to 3000 Meters
• Arena Testing of Warheads and Weapons
• Shoulder Fired Weapons Testing
• Complete MIL-STD-2105 Insensitive Munitions Testing
  • Single and Dual MIL-STD-2105 Fragment Impact Testing
  • External Fire, Fast and Slow Cook-Off Testing
  • Bullet Impact Testing using Small, Medium Caliber Ammunition
• Ballistic Limit (V50) of Materials and Projectiles
• MIL-STD-901 Lightweight Shipboard Shock facility
• Complete Environmental facilities
• Complete Dynamics and Shock facilities
• Lithium Battery Performance and Safety Testing
• Handle and Store Explosives, Propellants, and Ordnance Class 1.1v

Please browse this section to review our defense testing services and contact us to discuss your specific needs.