Why Military UAV Testing Is Critical to Mission Success and Safety
The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (ATS FoC) conducts military UAV testing to verify compliance with U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) reliability and performance standards, confirming drones are mission-ready before deployment.
Testing military unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) is essential to prevent system failures and aircraft losses in critical military operations. UAVs must operate reliably in high‑value missions across extreme environments, conditions, and terrains while meeting strict safety standards. Identifying potential flaws in UAV systems early can significantly reduce long-term costs, mitigate cyber threats, and strengthen national security.
Our Military UAV Capabilities
At ATS, our team of expert engineers and technicians performs military UAV testing across a wide range of disciplines in accordance with ITAR regulations. Across the full operational UAV lifecycle, we evaluate drone batteries, UAV components, and their electrical systems to applicable testing standards including MIL‑STD‑810 and MIL‑STD‑461.
Our mission‑critical methods and testing capabilities include:
Battery Testing (UN 38.3 & RTCA DO)
The high-energy batteries in UAVs are often exposed to harsh conditions, such as extreme weather, vibration, and shock. Battery testing is crucial to understand the energy reliability and longevity of UAVs, especially in combat.
We use the following standards to test the durability of UAV and drone batteries:
- UN 38.3: Lithium-Ion Battery Safety
- RTCA DO 311a: Rechargeable Batteries
- RTCA DO 227: Non-Rechargeable Bat.
- RTCA DO 293a: NiCd, Ni-MH, Pb Bat
EMI/EMC Testing (MIL‑STD‑461)
Often in GPS-denied locations, defense drones integrate with advanced electronic military systems and operate in complex electromagnetic environments. To meet military equipment requirements, UAS must comply with strict Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) and Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) standards. Proactive EMI/EMC testing can help prevent the compromise of classified intelligence, or data and communication loss.
We use the following MIL-STD-461 testing methods:
- CE101
- CE102
- CS101
- CS114
- CS115
- CS116
- CS117
- CS118
- RE101
- RE102
- RS101
- RS103
Environmental Testing (MIL-STD 810)
Defense drones are engineered to operate effectively in challenging real-world environments, including hostile climates, difficult terrain, and extreme operational stressors. Environmental simulations replicate these extreme conditions to collect data that informs expected UAS performance in the field.
Our MIL-STD 810 testing methods include:
- 500.5: Altitude or Low Pressure
- 501.5: High Temp
- 502.5: Low Temp
- 503.5: Temperature Shock
- 504.1: Contamination by Fluids
- 505.5: Sun/Solar
- 506.5: Rain
- 507.5: Humidity
- 509.5: Salt Spray / Salt Fog
- 510.5: Sand and Dust
- 512.5: Immersion
- 513.6: Acceleration
- 514.6: Vibration
- 516.6: Shock
- 517.1: Pyro Shock
- 519.6: Gunfire Shock
- 521.3: Icing / Freezing Rain
- 524.0: Freeze / Thaw
Trusted Support for Mission‑Critical Decisions
Trusted partners of the U.S. military, ATS works closely with defense institutions and contractors to deliver comprehensive testing, inspection, and consulting services with proven expertise. Since 1967, our commitment to quality has been reinforced through multiple ISO 9001:2015 registrations and ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditations.
For even more advanced drone-based analyses, our team of experts can perform testing that supports complete UAV system performance, including but not limited to:
- Electrical Testing
- Materials Testing
- Metallurgical Analysis
- Mechanical Testing
- Custom Testing
Contact Us
To turn UAS testing requirements into mission‑ready compliance, contact ATS today. Submit a web request form or call us directly at +1 (888) 287-5227 to get started.
