If you’re designing a product that needs to perform reliably in unpredictable or challenging conditions, you may have come across MIL-STD-810. Maybe some of your competitors have designed for it, or maybe your customers are asking about it. But the question is: do you really need to build your product to meet MIL-STD-810 standards?
In this post, we’ll break down what MIL-STD-810 really means, clarify some common misconceptions, and walk you through four critical questions to help you answer that question for yourself.
Understanding MIL-STD-810
MIL-STD-810 is a U.S. Department of Defense standard that outlines test methods used to evaluate how well a product can perform under various environmental conditions. These methods simulate the physical stresses that equipment might encounter during real-world use—such as temperature extremes, shock, vibration, humidity, sand and dust, and more.
Originally created to ensure that defense equipment could withstand the rigors of deployment, MIL-STD-810 has since become a widely adopted benchmark across multiple industries, including aerospace, industrial, and commercial electronics. Products designed to meet MIL-STD-810 standards are often seen as more rugged, more reliable, and more trustworthy.
MIL-STD-810 Is Not a Certification
Despite how it's often presented, MIL-STD-810 is not a certification. There’s no official badge, seal, or governing body that “certifies” your product after it passes testing. Instead, MIL-STD-810 provides a framework of testing procedures that you can apply based on your product’s intended environment.
When your product passes a test method within the standard—such as vibration testing or immersion testing—it just means that you’ve validated your product against those specific environmental performance benchmarks as outlined in MIL-STD-810.
With all this said, if you’re still unsure whether you should pursue MIL-STD-810 testing, ask yourself the following four questions to guide the decision.
Is Your Product Intended for Defense or High-Stakes Applications?
If your product is being developed for use in defense, aerospace, emergency response, or any other high-stakes environment, then MIL-STD-810 compliance is likely expected.
These industries operate under extreme conditions where equipment failure can compromise missions, safety, or lives. As a result, contractors, agencies, and procurement officers often require proof that a product has been designed and validated to perform reliably in the field. In these cases, MIL-STD-810 test results become a key part of the vetting process.
Common high-stakes applications that demand compliance include:
- Defense communications equipment (radio systems, connectors, cables)
- Airborne and vehicle-mounted electronics
- Wearable tech and sensors for first responders
- Ground control and surveillance systems
- Ruggedized enclosures and field-ready devices
If your product will be exposed to vibration, moisture, shock, or extreme temperatures during routine use, building it to MIL-STD-810 specifications helps ensure it’s built for performance, not just appearance.
Is Your Product Operating Under Harsh Environmental Conditions?
Even if your product isn’t destined for a defense or aerospace application, MIL-STD-810 testing can still be highly relevant, especially if it’s used in unpredictable or harsh environments.
Products exposed to the elements, physical impact, or constant motion face many of the same challenges as military-grade equipment. In these cases, selectively applying MIL-STD-810 test methods can help validate durability, build customer trust, and reduce returns or warranty claims.
For example, consider a piece of outdoor communication gear or a sensor module used in agriculture or infrastructure monitoring. These products might:
- Be left in direct sunlight or freezing temperatures
- Get wet or fully submerged
- Experience repeated drops, shocks, or vibration
- Be exposed to dust, dirt, or corrosive environments
Incorporating relevant MIL-STD-810 test methods can give you and your customers real confidence that your product will last even when the environment is less than ideal.
Are Your Customers Requiring Compliance?
In many cases, customer requirements will determine whether MIL-STD-810 compliance is necessary. If you're working with government contractors, defense suppliers, or companies serving critical infrastructure, they may require products to be tested against specific MIL-STD-810 methods as part of their procurement process.
But even if it's not explicitly required, compliance can still be a powerful differentiator—especially in competitive markets where performance and reliability are key selling points.
Do You Want to Build a Strong Reputation?
If your brand is built on quality, reliability, or rugged performance, then designing products to meet MIL-STD-810 standards can strengthen that reputation—and help you maintain it over time.
Products that undergo environmental testing are more likely to withstand real-world wear and tear, perform consistently, and last longer in the field. That means fewer returns, fewer failures, and more satisfied customers—all of which directly impact your brand perception.
If your goal is to be known for building dependable, long-lasting products, applying these standards can go a long way toward building brand equity and earning trust in competitive markets.
Partner With DEM Today
Whether you’re required to meet MIL-STD-810 standards—or you’re simply aiming to build a more rugged, reliable product—DEM Manufacturing can help you get there faster and with less risk.
From early-stage design and prototyping to material selection, testing prep, and full-scale production, our team brings the engineering expertise and in-house capabilities needed to develop products that perform in extreme environments. We’ll help you identify the relevant MIL-STD-810 methods, incorporate them into your design strategy, and produce a solution that’s built to last.
And because DEM is 100% U.S.-based and vertically integrated, we deliver first articles in as little as 10 weeks. If you’re ready to build a product that meets MIL-STD-810 standards faster than ever, talk to an expert at DEM today.
