Standards

The military standardization is a complex task whose purpose is to achieve and maintain interoperability. Like any complex activity, in order to achieve its goals it should be carried out rigorously.

The standards acceptance and elaboration within METRA was carried out pursue to:

  • Ministers Order no. M.S. 136/02.11.2012 “Std.-1, Instructions for Standardization in Military Domain;
  • operational procedures PO-02512-50.01-001 and PO-02512-50.01-002, on the basis of“Annual Program of Acceptance and Implementation of NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAG) for 2014” and “Multiannual program of acceptance of NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAG) for 2014- 2019”;
  • the provisions related to initiation of the standardization process.

2015 STANDARDIZATION TASKS FULFILLMENT

As a responsible structure, METRA carries out 162 NATO standardization agreements/recomandations (accepted, partially accepted, ongoing implementation etc.). It arrived at this figure as a result of standards redistribution to resonsable structures of the national representatives within NATO working, groups in compliance to M.S. 136 from 02.11.2012. Here is the report over the standardization tasks on NATO acceptance/approval and implementation of the agreements/reccomandations:

  • STANAG/STANREC established within GLAS final term – following years – 59,
  • STANAG/STANREC established within GLAS and implemented – 92,
  • STANAG/STANREC on going (Research and development multiannual plan) – 7,
  • STANAG/STANREC backlog approval – 1,
  • STANAG/STANREC established within GLAS, backlog approval – 3.
  1. Reccomanded NATO standardization acceptance/approval/ agreements/ reccomandations

With record to the national decision over the standardization agreement/reccomandation within METRA one can notice the following results:

  • Acceptance and implementation – 110,
  • Acceptance with backlog approval – 2,
  • Acceptance with further implementation – 36,
  • Acceptance with backlog approval and further implementation – 1
  • STANREC approval – 2,
  • Non-acceptance – 1,
  • Non – participating – 2,
  • On hold (Research and development multiannual plan) – 7,
  • Backlog approval – 1.
  1. Overview on the implementation of NATO standardization agreements/reccomandations:
  • STANAG/STANREC implemented – 82,
  • STANAG/STANREC partially implemented – 13,
  • STANAG/STANREC backlog implementation – 3.
  1. 2015 STANDARDIZATION TASKS FULFILLMENT

According to the “Annual Program of Acceptance and Implementation of NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAG) 2015”, METRA was designated to be responsible for the acceptance of eight NATO promulgated standardization agreements.

Regarding the unplanned component, METRA received acceptance request for a total of five NATO standardization agreements/recommendations. To these, one standardization agreement left from the previous year was added.

Therefore, from 14 standardization tasks, there have been completed and submitted acceptance proposals for 11 STANAG/STANREC (6 STANAG for the planned component and 5 STANAG/STANREC for the unplanned one), two STANAG submitted for ongoing discussions within GLAS, one STANAG being canceled.

Within the “Annual Program of Acceptance and Implementation of NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAG) 2015″, in chapter II, “Implementation schedule standard”, were listed as standards tasks the deployment of ten NATO agreements, accepted by METRA as responsible structure in previous years. Under this program, METRA developed in 2015 9 implementation documents, only one being canceled. To this on add the implementation of a military technical standard for a previous STANAG.

During 2015 there were implemented in all 11 STANAG for which METRA was responsible structure.

 

NATO STANDARSIZATION AGREEMENTS ACCEPTED

During 2015, there were 11 agreements/reccomandations of NATO standardization, included to the “Annual Program of Acceptance and Implementation of NATO Standardization Agreements (STANAG) 2015” or sent for approval (DIPS):

  • STANAG 4173 (Ed.1) – ″25 mm x 137 AMMUNITION″
  • STANAG 4326 (Ed.2) – ″NATO FUZE CHARACTERISTICS DATA – AOP-8″
  • STANAG 4364 (Ed.2) – ″WATERPROOF CLOTHING″
  • STANAG 4369 (Ed. 1) – ″DESIGN REQUIREMENTS FOR INDUCTIVE SETTING OF LARGE CALIBRE PROJECTILE FUZES″
  • STANAG 4518 (Ed.1) – ″SAFE DISPOSAL OF MUNITIONS, DESIGN PRINCIPLES AND REQUIREMENTS AND SAFETY ASSESSMENT″
  • STANAG 4491 (Ed.2) – ″EXPLOSIVES, THERMAL SENSITIVENESS AND EXPLOSIVENESS TESTS″
  • STANAG 2470 (Ed.2)(RD1) – ″PROBABILISTIC DETERMINATION OF WEAPON DANGER AREAS – ARSP-2, Vol. I, Edition B″
  • STANAG 4560 (Ed.3)(RD1) – ″ELECTRO-EXPLOSIVES DEVICES, ASSESSMENT AND TEST METHODS FOR CHARACTERIZATION″
  • STANAG 4452 (Ed.1) (RD1) – ″GUIDANCE ON SOFTWARE SAFETY DESIGN AND ASSESSMENT OF MUNITION – RELATED COMPUTING SYSTEMS″
  • STANAG 4666 (Ed.1)(RD1) – ″EXPLOSIVE MATERIALS: ASSESSMENT OF AGEING OF POLYMER BONDED EXPLOSIVES (PBXS), CAST-CURE COMPOSITIONS USING INERT OR ENERGETIC BINDER″
  • STANAG 4635 (Ed.1) – ″SM STANAG 4635-2015 „MODELUL ÎMPRĂŞTIERII LOVITURILOR LA TRAGEREA CU ARMAMENTUL DE ARTILERIE NATO”

NATO STANDARDIZATION AGREEMENTS IMPLEMENTED

During 2015 there have been approved 11 NATO standardization agreements:

  • STANAG 4201 (Ed.1) – MARKING OF RIOT CONTROL AND TRAINING CANISTERS (D.A.-3/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4201 (Ed.1))
  • STANAG 4328 (Ed.2) – GUIDELINES TO IMPROVE NUCLEAR RADIATION PROTECTION OF MILITARY VEHICLES – AEP-14 (A.-4/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4328 (Ed.2))
  • STANAG 4383 (Ed. 1) – 12,7 MM (.50) AMMUNITION PACKED AS LINKED BELTS (D.A.-5/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4383 (Ed.1))
  • STANAG 4490 (Ed.1) – EXPLOSIVES, ELECTROSTATIC DISCHARGE SENSITIVITY TEST(S) (A.-12/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4490 (Ed.1))
  • STANREC 4498 (Ed.1) – SOLDIER SYSTEMS REPRESENTATIVE TARGETS, HELICOPTERS AND UNARMORED VEHICLES (A.-6/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4498 (Ed.1))
  • STANAG 4500 (Ed.1) – PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE FIELD ARTILLERY MUZZLE VELOCITY MANAGEMENT, INTERCHANGEABILITY AND PREDICTION (A.-7/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4500 (Ed.1))
  • STANAG 4520 (Ed.1) – RIFLE LAUNCHED GRENADES SYSTEMS, DESIGN SAFETY REQUIREMENTS AND SAFETY AND SUITABILITY FOR SERVICE EVALUATION (A.-8/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4520 (Ed.1))
  • STANAG 4568 (Ed.1) – PROCEDURES TO DETERMINE THE LEVELS OF PERFORMANCE (MUZZLE VELOCITY, PRESSURE) AND ASSOCIATED QUALITY OF IN-SERVICE LARGE CALIBRE PROPELLING CHARGE LOTS (A.-9/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4568 (Ed.1))
  • STANAG 4617 (Ed.1) – MINIATURISED PIEZO-ELECTRIC PRESSURE GAUGES – AEP-51 (A.-10/2015 – DISPOZIŢIA SECRETARULUI DE STAT PENTRU ARMAMENTE for the implementation of STANAG 4617 (Ed.1))
  • STANAG 4624 (Ed.1) – SM STANAG 4624-2013 (Ed.1) „Muniţie 30 mm × 173”

 

  1. Collaboration with other structures:

METRA researchers participated as experts in over thirty working groups established in other standardization bodies responsible for the Ministry of National Defense standardization (Armament Department, Land Forces, Naval Forces, Air Forces, Military Technical Academy, National Defense University), in order to accept and implement NATO Standards and Publications of the military technically standards.

We should mention that none of our specialists participated to the University of National Defense military standardization classes in 2015, although during previous years the agency had two graduated students in this specialization.

 

PARTICIPATION TO GL NATO

 

Due to its competence, METRA is represented within NATO groups, European Defence Agency working groups as well as the European Standardization Commision.

  1. the MILITARY EQUIPMENT AND TECHNOLOGIES RESEARCH AGENCY has national representatives in NATO working groups as well as NATO standardization groups and subgroups.

NATO STANDARDIZATION WORKING GROUPS NATIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

CNAD group for ammunition safety (CASG), AC/326

CNAD subgroup, AC/224, SG2

CNAD subgroup, AC/225, LCG1

CNAD subgroup, AC/225, LCG3

CNAD subgroup, AC/225, JCGCBRN – PPSG (Physical Protection)

CNAD subgroup, AC/225, JCGCBRN – DIMSG (Detection, Identification and Monitoring)

CNAD subgroup, AC/225, JCGCBRN – SIBCRASG (Sampling, Identification of Biological, Chemical and Radiological Agents)

CNAD subgroup, AC/225, JCGCBRN – RNDSG (Radiological and Nuclear Defence)

CNAD subgroup, AC/323, STB – STO IST (Tehnologia sistemelor informatice)

CNAD subgroup, AC/323, STB – STO SCI (Concepte sistemice şi integrări)

CNAD subgroup, AC/323, STB – STO AVT (Tehnologia aplicată vehiculelor)

CNAD subgroup, AC/323, STB – STO SET (Senzori şi tehnologii electronice)

CNAD subgroup, AC/323, STB – STO NMSG (Grupul NATO pentru modelare şi simulare)

CNAD subgroup, AC/326, SG B (Sub-Group on Ammunition System Design and Assesment)

CNAD subgroup, AC/327, WG/3

CNAD subgroup, AC/327, WG/6

Meeting main aspects:

– 2012 – 2013 CNAD group, AC/326 – Romania decisionwith regard to „Terms of reference for the CNAD Ammunition Safety Group AC/ 326“;

– 2012 – 2013 AC/225 group, LCG/3 – Ministry of National Defence decision regarding NATO standardization for for 152mm weapon and ammunition;

– 2014 – CNAD group, AC/326, SG/A – Romanian update info to NATO AOP-7 Ed. C „Manual of Tests Data Requirements for the Qualification of Explosive Materials for Military Use”;

– 2015 – METRA via its national representative within NATO LCG1 Land Capability Group respectiv CNAD AMMUNITION SAFETY GROUP AC 326, succeed the following:

  • To analyse NATO standards agreements for the categories mentioned above;
  • To disseminate to all the forces categories colaboratig structure of the documents received from NATO working groups secretariat as follows:
    • “Infantry Small Arms Post 2025”document – NATO LCG1 Land Capability Group;
    • “Lessons learned Russo-Ukr War” document – NATO LCG1 Land Capability Group;
    • DECISION SHEET documents –CNAD AMMUNITION SAFETY GROUP AC 326 group;
    • “Joint Insensitive Munitions Test Standards and Compliance Assessment” document – CNAD AMMUNITION SAFETY GROUP AC 326;
    • “Ammunition and Explosives Hazard Classification Procedures”document – CNAD AMMUNITION SAFETY GROUP AC 326.
  1. METRA representatives’ participation to European working groups:
  • METRA has representatives within two European Defence Agency working groups;
  • METRA send two experts within the European Standardization Committee – CEN/BT Technical Commitee “Energetic materials for defense use” (following AFNOR proposal regarding the setting up of a new technical committee at European level, “Energetic materials for defense use“). Due to budgetary restrictions, we did not participated to any technical committee reunion.
  1. USE OF NATO AND UE STANDARDS AND PROCEDURES

In other to obtain interoperability with the NATO forces, METRA specialists use and applies the NATO and European standards to fulfillment of the research and development or test and evaluation projects or for the elaboration of technical specification for acquisitions of military equipments.

During 2015 standards management systems was improved. The specialists within subodonated structures have been informed with regard to updated NATO standard catalogues as well as the web site page of NATO Standardization Agency (nso.nato.int).

METRA scientific researcher’s activities have been sustained through infomations conecerning standards or other documents needed.

       CONCLUSIONS:

Although the NATO Standards Agreement Approval and Implementation is highly important in the Romanian Army, the standardization projects are not usually included in METRA Sector Research Plan, as for the standardization tasks, they are not always easily received by the subordinated structures.

The main standardization activity disfunctionailties are mainly due to organizatoric facts but also because of some objective ones as follows:

  • One can notice that the Ministry of National Defense standardization process documents are not entirely understood by the specialists responsible of the standardization activity (working groups, standardization documentation elaboration etc.), that is why METRA subordinate structures need to have more specialists on standardization mater;
  • The number of competent specialists have been reduced;
  • The superpositione of standardization activities tasks with research and development and test and evaluation specific activities;
  • Due to budgetary restrictions, the national representatives in NATO Standardization Working Groups did not participate in working group meetings and this problem led to their poor information on issues discussed and impossibility to participate in decision-making.

To conclude, the standardization area needs more specialists, a better implication of METRA national representatives within NATO groups – in NATO standardization approval and implementation.

Military standardization needs to be better spreaded among specialists, throughout specialized courses.