scope:

BACKGROUND

The following paper is composed of essentially two (integrated) parts. The first contains background information (but not necessarily verbatim) from Virgil J. Junker's "The Evolution of USAF Environmental Testing." The second part (in italics) is a continuation of background information that I was able to obtain that brings us to the present (early 20109). In some cases, some information is either non-existent, or I was not able to locate a contributor.

This report presents supporting data and background information on the origination and development of natural and induced environmental tests intended for USAF aerospace and ground equipment.

The information provided in the discussion portion of the text write-ups is intended to give the designer, application engineer, and those individuals responsible for specifying test requirements a clearer understanding of the interpretation, application, and relationship of tests as called out in various environmental test documents.