Understanding MILSPEC testing

MILSPEC, short for military specifications, is a term used for equipment that has been tested against standards developed by the Department of Defense. Manufacturers who want to demonstrate a level of ruggedization beyond IP ratings can conduct environmental lab testing according to the MIL-STD-810 standard to validate their product’s durability.

First introduced back in 1962, the MIL-STD-810 standard has continued to evolve and provides detailed guidance for evaluating the durability of various types of equipment. The tests outlined include everything military personnel might care about: pressure, radiation, fungus, explosive atmospheres, vibration, acids, shocks and more. In all, the latest MIL-STD-810 standard covers 28 different tests.

Not many smartphones are tested against the MIL-STD-810 standard, but one that has been is Samsung’s Galaxy XCover Pro. Developed specifically for frontline workers, the XCover Pro was put through a series of 22 MIL-STD-810 lab tests. These included being dropped 26 times from a height of 1.5 meters, exposure to constant vibration, operating at temperatures as high as 160 degrees Fahrenheit, exposure to solar radiation, rain and salt spray, being blasted with dust, immersed in water and coated with ice.

IT managers who want to spend less time worrying about smartphone repair can use the IP68 ratings, as well as MILSPEC testing, to identify devices that will stand up to the rigors of field service and harsh weather, or even just coffee spills and being jumbled around in a pocket or briefcase.