1.1 Development of a New EMC Process Document Series

This is the first in a series of Electromagnetic Environmental Effects (E³) guideline publications. Its objective is to add up-to-date technology and process information for improving Fleet inter- and intra-system and platform electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) readiness. This focused joint Navy/industry effort is directed toward those organizations and individual personnel responsible for design, selection and installation of more reliable and higher quality Naval material in this case aircraft and avionics cabling.

Though this document may serve as a reference to the experienced EMC engineer and technician, its primary audience includes those non-EMC specialists who may be unaware of the EMC impact of planned (or unplanned) production changes on the EMC integrity of the overall aircraft design. This publication series adds to the basic Best Manufacturing Practices knowledge base and supports improved technical communications between the design and production specialists about design-to-production factors affecting EMC. Since inherent production deficiencies are usually caught in final test and evaluation prior to client acceptance, or later during Fleet introduction, the elimination of costly retrofits and preventable production flaws caught early in the production process will benefit both producer and consumer. Ultimately, an EMC deficiency traced to production practices will result in either an expensive corrective action, or acceptance of a system that compromises EMC performance. Neither is acceptable, especially when preventable procedures and techniques are available.

The E³ Best Manufacturing Practices publication series concentrates on fundamental EMC design disciplines and manufacturing processes which may not generally be considered by government and industry in material acquisition. The absence of such guidelines often results in excessive downtime and degraded Fleet readiness. These are, therefore, being produced by industry in cooperation with, and in support of, the Navy's Best Manufacturing Practices Program (BMP).

This particular guideline document focuses on the cabling discipline as it is applied to aircraft and avionics installations. It presents design and manufacturing information that will improve reliability and quality through the prevention of E³ control problems during aircraft and avionics cable wireway design, selection, production and installation. This publication supplements the many government and industry documents and databases currently in existence. In particular, it provides supplemental design and manufacturing information for use in both new aircraft and avionics systems programs and for major upgrades to existing platforms and systems.

This document is not intended to be the last word in preventing E³ cabling problems. It will be regularly updated to disseminate the most current, pertinent technology and user lessons-learned information. It is presented in a format that improves mutual understanding and dialogue between both design and production specialists. It is further intended to help design and plant production managers and technical specialists to make more informed on-site decisions, without inadvertently compromising the EMC integrity of the overall platform and system.