scope:

This handbook provides guidance for the ASE (Aircraft Survivability Equipment) data submittals, which will be completed prior to issue of a Safety of Flight (SOF) Release for testing of new/modified ASE equipment installed on U.S. Army aircraft. A combination of analyses, component testing, and ground testing will be used to issue the first release to test the system, which should be stipulated in each contract. The ADS-66 handbook would assist the contractor in determining the exact data/reports needed to assure airworthiness of the system.

ASE is generally defined as any piece of equipment that aids in the self-defense of an aircraft from ground-to-air or air-to-air threats, by limiting the ability of the threat to engage the aircraft. In broad terms, this includes missile detectors, threat jammers, and countermeasure dispensers. ASE generally does not encompass items that are intended to increase combat effectiveness, such as guns, fire control radars, friend-or-foe identification systems, weather radars, etc.