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MIL-STD-461 EMC/EMI Testing Services

Electromagnetic Compatibility Testing for Military and Defense Equipment

Clark Testing provides comprehensive MIL-STD-461 Electromagnetic Compatibility (EMC) and Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) testing services for manufacturers of electrical, electronic, and electromechanical equipment used in military and defense applications.

Our ISO/IEC 17025-accredited EMC laboratory supports defense contractors, equipment manufacturers, and military suppliers in evaluating the electromagnetic performance of mission-critical equipment and subsystems.

MIL-STD-461 establishes requirements for controlling electromagnetic interference emissions and susceptibility characteristics of equipment and subsystems. Compliance testing helps ensure that electrical and electronic systems operate reliably in complex electromagnetic environments without generating unacceptable interference or experiencing performance degradation from external electromagnetic sources.

Clark Testing supports EMC/EMI qualification programs for equipment intended for a wide range of military platforms, including:

• Naval surface ships and submarines
• Military aircraft and aerospace systems
• Ground combat and tactical vehicles
• Military communications and electronic systems
• Radar, navigation, and control equipment
• Power distribution and electronic control systems
• Mission-critical equipment and defense support systems
• Commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) equipment adapted for military applications

Our laboratory works with customers to identify applicable MIL-STD-461 requirements, develop appropriate test programs, and provide documented test results to support equipment qualification and procurement requirements.

MIL-STD-461 Testing Requirements and Methods

MIL-STD-461 addresses four principal categories of electromagnetic interference testing. Each category evaluates specific emissions or susceptibility characteristics of the Equipment Under Test (EUT).

Conducted Emissions (CE) Testing

Conducted emissions testing evaluates unwanted electromagnetic energy transmitted from electrical and electronic equipment through power leads and other applicable interfaces.

These tests help determine whether equipment generates electrical noise that could interfere with other systems sharing a common electrical power or communication environment.

MIL-STD-461 conducted emissions test methods include:

• CE101: Conducted emissions, power leads, low-frequency current.
• CE102: Conducted emissions, power leads, radio-frequency potentials.
• CE106: Conducted emissions, antenna terminal, applicable to specified antenna-connected equipment.

Conducted emissions testing is particularly important for military vehicles, aircraft, ships, and other platforms where multiple electronic systems operate from shared electrical power sources.

Radiated Emissions (RE) Testing

Radiated emissions testing measures unintended electromagnetic energy emitted from equipment, cables, and enclosures into the surrounding environment.

These tests evaluate whether electrical and electronic equipment produces electromagnetic emissions that could interfere with nearby communications, navigation, radar, or other sensitive electronic systems.

MIL-STD-461 radiated emissions test methods include:

• RE101: Radiated emissions, magnetic field.
• RE102: Radiated emissions, electric field.
• RE103: Radiated emissions, antenna spurious and harmonic outputs.

Radiated emissions testing helps equipment manufacturers demonstrate that their products meet applicable electromagnetic emission limits for their intended military installation.

Conducted Susceptibility (CS) Testing

Conducted susceptibility testing evaluates the ability of electrical and electronic equipment to maintain acceptable performance when exposed to electromagnetic disturbances introduced through power cables, signal lines, and other electrical interfaces.

These disturbances may originate from switching operations, electrical transients, electromagnetic coupling, or other sources encountered in military operating environments.

MIL-STD-461 conducted susceptibility test methods include:

• CS101: Conducted susceptibility, power leads.
• CS114: Conducted susceptibility, bulk cable injection.
• CS115: Conducted susceptibility, bulk cable injection, impulse excitation.
• CS116: Conducted susceptibility, damped sinusoidal transients.
• CS117: Conducted susceptibility, lightning-induced transients.
• CS118: Personnel-borne electrostatic discharge (ESD).

Conducted susceptibility testing is especially important for equipment installed in electrically complex military platforms where electromagnetic disturbances can affect equipment functionality and operational reliability.

Radiated Susceptibility (RS) Testing

Radiated susceptibility testing evaluates the ability of equipment to withstand electromagnetic fields generated by external sources while maintaining required functional performance.

Military equipment may be exposed to electromagnetic energy from radar systems, communications transmitters, electronic warfare systems, and other high-power electromagnetic sources.

MIL-STD-461 radiated susceptibility test methods include:

• RS101: Radiated susceptibility, magnetic field.
• RS103: Radiated susceptibility, electric field.
• RS105: Radiated susceptibility, transient electromagnetic field.

These tests help establish equipment immunity to electromagnetic disturbances encountered in demanding military environments.

Clark Testing EMC/EMI Laboratory Capabilities

Clark Testing's EMC laboratory is equipped with specialized facilities and instrumentation for electromagnetic emissions and susceptibility testing.

Laboratory resources include anechoic and semi-anechoic test chambers, shielded rooms, ground planes, and specialized electromagnetic test equipment.

Our technical capabilities include:

• MIL-STD-461 conducted and radiated emissions testing.
• MIL-STD-461 conducted and radiated susceptibility testing.
• High-intensity radiated susceptibility testing under RS103, with field strengths up to 200 V/m and frequency capabilities extending to 40 GHz, subject to test configuration.
• RTCA DO-160 Section 20 radiated susceptibility testing for airborne equipment.
• DC magnetic field susceptibility testing in accordance with MIL-STD-1399 Section 070, with capabilities up to 1,600 A/m.
• Electromagnetic shielding effectiveness evaluation.
• Electrical power quality and related equipment qualification testing.

Our engineering and technical personnel work with customers to determine the applicable test methods, test configurations, acceptance criteria, and documentation requirements for each qualification program.

Related Military EMC and Electrical Testing Standards

In addition to MIL-STD-461, Clark Testing supports testing programs involving related military and aerospace specifications, including:

• MIL-STD-464: Electromagnetic environmental effects requirements for systems.
• MIL-DTL-83528: Electrically conductive elastomeric shielding gaskets.
• MIL-STD-704: Aircraft electric power characteristics.
• MIL-STD-1275: Electrical power characteristics for military vehicles.
• MIL-STD-1399: Shipboard electrical and equipment interface requirements.
• RTCA DO-160: Environmental conditions and test procedures for airborne equipment.

Applicable testing requirements and laboratory capabilities are evaluated based on the equipment, military platform, and contractual specifications.

Integrated Military Equipment Qualification Services

Beyond EMC/EMI testing, Clark Testing provides a broad range of environmental and mechanical testing services for military equipment manufacturers.

Our complementary capabilities include:

• MIL-STD-810: Environmental testing, including temperature, humidity, shock, vibration, and other environmental conditions.
• MIL-STD-167: Mechanical vibration testing for shipboard equipment.
• MIL-STD-901: High-impact shock testing for shipboard equipment.
• Structural and Fatigue Testing: Mechanical integrity, structural performance, and equipment durability.
• Environmental Aging: Temperature cycling, humidity, and other environmental exposures.

By combining electromagnetic, environmental, shock, vibration, and structural testing capabilities, Clark Testing can support multiple aspects of military equipment qualification through a single independent testing organization.

Supporting the Defense Industrial Base

Clark Testing is a U.S.-owned small business with a long history of supporting defense contractors and military equipment manufacturers.

Our qualifications include:

• ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory accreditation through A2LA.
• CMMC Level 2 certification.
• ITAR registration.
• Capability to support the handling and protection of Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), subject to applicable requirements.
• Experience supporting military and defense equipment qualification programs.

These qualifications, combined with our technical capabilities and independent laboratory services, make Clark Testing a valuable testing partner for defense manufacturers seeking reliable, responsive, and technically competent qualification services.

Request MIL-STD-461 EMC/EMI Testing Services

Whether your program requires individual MIL-STD-461 test methods or a comprehensive military equipment qualification program, Clark Testing can assist in evaluating your requirements and developing an appropriate testing approach.

Contact Clark Testing to discuss your MIL-STD-461 EMC/EMI testing requirements, request a quotation, or consult with our technical team about an upcoming defense equipment qualification program.