What is MIL-STD-810G & 810H? Understanding Military-Grade SSD Durability

Why Military-Grade SSD Durability Matters

SSDs are indispensable in extreme environments where reliability matters. They have no moving parts and resist shock, vibration, and temperature swings. It guarantees unremitting performance in military missions, defense systems, aerospace, and rough industrial circumstances.

MIL-STD-810 is the established U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) standard for evaluating the durability of ruggedized electronics. Compliance with MIL-STD-810 demonstrates a device’s ability to operate reliably in harsh environments.

This article examines the requirements of MIL-STD-810G and the more advanced MIL-STD-810H, and their role in validating SSD reliability under extreme conditions.
 

What is MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-810H?

The MIL-STD-810G standard, published by the U.S. Department of Defense, serves as the definitive benchmark for verifying equipment survivability under extreme temperatures, shock, vibration, and explosive forces. The lab procedures of MIL-STD-810G evaluate hardware through repeated drop testing from 4-5 feet, along with subjecting it to quick temperature variations, as well as protracted sand, dust, and moisture exposure.

Its methods include everything from Test Method 516.6 for shock to 510.5 for sand and dust. They suit each product's field conditions. Although it originated for military gear, it's now used in aerospace, transportation, and energy for rugged components in aircraft, vehicles, and power systems. It shows how the standard boosts mission-critical performance reliability.

With evolving industrial and military demands, the U.S. Department of Defense has updated these standards to MIL-STD-810H. Building upon the legacy of 810G, MIL-STD-810H refines testing methodologies, updates procedures for modern technologies, and further improves testing accuracy for real-world deployment scenarios.
 

Why MIL-STD-810 Matters for SSDs

Unmatched Durability
These SSDs withstand impact levels that would damage conventional drives, successfully completing standardized shock and vibration tests, including drop trials from specified heights onto hard surfaces. Rapid jolts don't corrupt data or break internal components. They also endure constant vibration without loosening solder points or connectors. It is vital during ground transport, naval deployments, or in fast-moving aircraft.

Extreme Temperature Tolerance
SSDs must protect data as troops travel between desert heat and sub-zero temperatures. Lab tests replicate high-temperature and low-temperature methods. Engineers confirm that the drive can deal with broad fluctuations and keep performance when moving from hot to freezing environments. At high altitudes, drives are stable for cargo planes or mountainous regions.

Enhanced Data Security
Many military-grade SSDs incorporate hardware encryption and immediate secure-erase capabilities, essential for protecting sensitive data if devices are compromised. MIL-STD-810 verifies a device’s resilience to environmental extremes, ensuring data integrity under harsh conditions. Drives certified to this standard often incorporate dedicated encryption chips to protect stored data from unauthorized access.

Long-Term Reliability
Frequent drive replacements in the field increase both operational costs and risk. MIL-STD-810 testing enables engineers to pinpoint vulnerable components and reinforce them. For example, repeated thermal cycling exposes brittle solder joints before deployment. Addressing these issues upfront improves product longevity, reduces failure rates, and ensures uninterrupted mission performance.
 

Key MIL-STD-810 Tests for Military-Grade SSDs

When referencing MIL-STD-810 tests, it's important to note that each test method is assigned a unique number that changes with each revision of the standard. For example, shock resistance is Method 516.6 in MIL-STD-810G and Method 516.8 in MIL-STD-810H. The table below summarizes the key test items for SSDs and their corresponding method numbers in both MIL-STD-810G and MIL-STD-810H:
 

√ Shock Resistance (Method 516.6 [G] / 516.8 [H])
√ Vibration Testing (Method 514.6 [G] / 514.8 [H])
√ Extreme Temperature Endurance (Methods 501.5 & 502.5 [G] / 501.7 & 502.7 [H])
√ Humidity and Moisture Resistance (Method 507.5 [G] / 507.6 [H])
√ Altitude and Pressure Testing (Method 500.5 [G] / 500.6 [H])  

MIL-STD-810G & MIL-STD-810H – Cervoz's Critical Investment for Mission Success

In defense and aerospace, data reliability dominates.

• Our 2.5” SATA SSD(M339) is MIL-STD-810G compliant.
• Our M.2 2280 SSDs(T445/T455) are fully certified to MIL-STD-810H, representing the next evolution in rugged storage durability.
• Additionally, our Industrial DRAM Modules have undergone the same stringent testing procedures.

These products endure extreme temperatures from -40°C to +85°C, vibrations, and shocks for unwavering performance in mission-critical scenarios. They incorporate AES 256-bit encryption for data security while safeguarding sensitive information against unauthorized access. Write Protect, Quick Erase, and Self-Physical Destruction provide layers of data protection for immediate response to security breaches. Our Powerguard technology also protects power loss to preserve data uprightness during unexpected outages. 

Such characteristics render our SSDs indispensable for radar systems, UAVs, satellites, and beyond – because failure is not an option.

For details on our rugged defense solutions, visit our dedicated page here.