scope:

This Handbook is intended to provide useful information on the application of MIL-STD-1760. It is for use by: System Program Offices (SPOs), Aircraft Prime Contractors, Avionics and Store System Designers, System Integrators and Equipment Manufacturers and Users. The standard has a significant impact on the system design of related avionics systems, such as the Stores Management System (SMS), the Power Distribution System (PDS) and Data Transfer Equipment (DTE). It also impacts the design of the stores themselves.

This Handbook was prepared to increase awareness of available methods for improving aircraft/store interoperability. Additionally, this Handbook emphasizes to the aircraft designer, carriage store designer and mission store designer the importance of the complete weapons systems approach to the solution of the interoperability problem. The systems approach is one that recognizes the interrelationships of components and parts within the aircraft/carriage store/mission store system, and the interactions between the parts of the system.

While it is recognized that each weapon system is somewhat unique, an effort has been made to present recommended design practices in a manner that will help the designer to adapt various recommendations to his particular situation. It should be recognized, however, that any given design practice may not be equally effective in all weapon systems. This use of this Handbook must be complemented, therefore, by sound engineering judgement.

The material contained in this Handbook is intended to provide the weapon system designer with the following types of information:

a. A thorough understanding of the requirements imposed by MIL-STD-1760.

b. Identification of design problem areas that could contribute to an interface incompatibility.

c. A presentation of design techniques, components and design practices that might be useful in implementing MIL-STD-1760.

d. Practical guidance and associated rationale for users of MIL-STD-1760 in future applications.

For most weapon systems, a low level of interoperability is inevitable unless the designer recognizes the design risks, is aware of their causes and available means of minimizing the risks, and organizes all phases of the weapon system development in the original design to enhance interoperability. Retrofitting after an interoperability problem is discovered is expensive and seldom contributes to weapon system reliability.

The complete Aircraft/Store Electrical Interconnection System (AEIS) is comprised of three elements: Electrical, Physical and Logical. The electrical element specifies the aircraft-to-store interface signal set and associated electrical characteristics including interrelationships between the various interfaces. The physical element specifies the mechanical aspects necessary for achieving intermateable electrical connections within the system. The logical element defines digital data transfer aspects such as the communication protocol, formatting rules for messages and standard data words. As an example of one MIL-STD-1760 installation, figure 1 is a photograph of a MIL-STD-1760, primary signal set umbilical cable between the ASI on the bottom of a B-52 bomber and the MSI on the top of a Joint Directed Attack Munition (JDAM).

The electrical interface is comprised of two signal sets, a Primary Signal Set and an Auxiliary Signal Set. Both signal sets are applicable to the aircraft, the carriage store and the mission store parts of the interface.

This Handbook and MIL-STD-1760 do not cover aircraft and stores compatibility relating to mechanical, aerodynamic, logistic and operational factors. Size, shape, loads, clearances and functional limitations are not specified in MIL-STD-1760.