MIL-STD-188 -125-1

Abstract

This standard establishes minimum requirements and design objectives for high-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) hardening of fixed<a>¹</a> ground-based facilities that perform critical, time-urgent command, control, communications, computer, and intelligence (C⁴I) missions. Facilities required to fully comply with the provisions of the standard will be designated by the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a Military Department Headquarters, or a Major Command. <br>This standard prescribes minimum performance requirements for low-risk protection from mission-aborting damage or upset due to HEMP threat environments defined in MIL-STD-2169. This standard also addresses minimum testing requirements for demonstrating that prescribed performance has been achieved and for verifying that the installed protection subsystem provides the operationally required hardness for the completed facility. If the prescribed testing results in any hardware damage or functional upsets, the operational authority for the facility will make the determination whether the observed event is mission aborting. <br>This standard defines the design and testing criteria for specifically designated fixed ground-based facilities in HEMP-hardened, critical, time-urgent C⁴I networks. Such nodes include subscriber terminals and data processing centers, transmitting and receiving communications stations, and relay facilities. The standard applies to both new construction and retrofit of existing facilities. Although only local portions of facility interconnects are addressed, it is assumed that survivable long-haul communications paths, fiber optic links, or other hardened interconnects between facilities will be provided as required for mission accomplishment. Use of the standard for HEMP protection of other ground-based communications-electronics facilities that require HEMP hardening is also encouraged. <br>Survivable C⁴I capabilities are essential to a credible military deterrent. This standard supports nuclear survivability objectives by providing a standardized, low-risk protection approach for fixed ground-based facilities in HEMP-hardened C⁴I networks. These uniform requirements ensure balanced HEMP hardening for all critical facilities in the network. <b><u>Intended Use:</u></b> The standard contains minimum requirements and design objectives for low-risk HEMP protection of fixed ground-based facilities that perform critical, time-urgent C⁴I missions. The purpose is to standardize design, construction, and test of HEMP protection subsystems for these facilities and to thereby ensure the quality and durability of the protection. Low-risk HEMP protection is military unique because it is required only for critical C⁴I assets that support time-urgent attack warning and retaliatory military missions. While other military and commercial systems may require HEMP protection, there are no commercial requirements for low-risk hardening. <br>