Shipboard, MIL-DTL-901E Testing
**MIL-DTL-901E, revision to MIL-S-901D of 1989 has been approved and released as of 20 June 2017. Click here to read more!**
Equipment on naval surface ships and submarines experiences many different types of shock. Aircraft launch mechanisms, steam catapults, tail-hook arresting cables and missile launchers generate various types of shocks, as do many combat situations, such as a direct hit by enemy ordnance.
Shipboard shock testing involves two types of device:
- Grade A items are essential to the safety and continued combat capability of the ship.
- Grade B items are those which are not essential to the combat capability or safety of the ship, but could become hazardous to personnel or the ship as a whole if exposed to shock.
Furthermore, MIL-DTL-901E standards for shipboard shock testing divide devices into systems and subsystems, such as a diesel generator versus an electric motor of the diesel generator. Testing requirements for devices in each class are determined by the way they are installed in the ship:
- Class I equipment must meet specific shock test requirements when installed, without the use of resilient mounting hardware between the device and the ship’s structure.
- Class II equipment is required to meet MIL-DTL-901E standards for shock resistance, but can do so with the use of resilient mounting parts when installed in its proper shipboard position.
- Class III includes any device with multiple potential configurations that can be installed both with and without mounting hardware. It must therefore conform to both Class I and Class II requirements.
Whether you test missiles, generators, radio equipment, gauges, storage vessels or any other shipboard system or component, NTS will provide you with a comprehensive, MIL-DTL-901E compliant shock test program that will work with your schedule.
Types of Shipboard Shock Testing
- Type A testing is testing required for principal units. This includes devices directly supported by the ship’s structure, or by its foundations, piping systems, duct work or other systems. In these tests, the aim is to ensure the item has sufficient rigidity and mass to withstand shocks when installed in its proper location.
- Type B testing measures the shock response of subsidiary components such as shipboard power supply sections, diesel engines or the electric motors of a larger device.
- Type C testing is performed on subassembly components that are significantly impacted by shocks to principal or subsidiary components, but are unlikely to impact them in return. This can include thermometers, resisters, meters and other smaller parts.
NTS tests all Grades A through B, Type A through Type C equipment. We perform lightweight shipboard shock testing in-house, and medium weight shock test, as well as heavyweight shock testing, at partner facilities. Special shock test machines are required to perform lightweight and medium weight shock tests per MIL-DTL-901E tests, while heavyweight shock tests require barge testing with ordnance. Contact NTS today to find out more about our shipboard shock testing.
Shipboard Shock Testing at NTS
NTS has more than 50 years of experience with shipboard shock testing of various components. We have a network of labs across the country, including locations near some of the largest civilian and military ports in the country. Find out more about our services by contacting us by phone or email.