The new MIL-STD-810H standard
The new standard recognizes that not all drops are equal. The “transit drop” in the old MIL-STD-810G, for example, didn’t have much relevance to the most likely drop scenario in mobile computing — dropping a device while using it in the field. So whereas the old standard only had one drop scenario, the new MIL-STD-810H standard has three.
The transit drop is now called “logistic transit drop test” and testing remains the same.
The new “tactical transport drop” has five scenarios, including “unpackaged handling, infantry and man-carried equipment” that applies to ruggedness testing of mobile computing gear. There, the drop height is five feet. Instead of 26 drops, there are five standard drop orientations (drop to flat bottom, left end, right end, bottom right edge at 45 degrees, and top left end corner at 45 degrees), with each item exposed to no more than two drops.
The new “severe tactical transport drop test” only applies to materiel dropped from large heights, like helicopters, aircraft, cranes and such. There, the drop height starts at 7 feet and goes all the way to 82 feet, which doesn’t apply to rugged mobile computers.
The MIL-STD-810H addresses the old question of how one gets an item to fall so it lands a certain way. “Guidance systems which do not reduce the impact velocity may be employed to ensure correct impact angle, however, guidance shall be eliminated at a sufficient height above the impact surface to allow unimpeded fall and rebound.” Not an easy task.
