From requirements to proof: qualifying products for the defense market

For companies supplying equipment or components to military programs, proving reliability is just as important as designing the technology itself. Products must operate safely and consistently under extreme environmental and operational conditions. Nadiya Trushnikova, laboratory manager at Kiwa Primara GmbH in Kaufbeuren, Germany, explains how Kiwa helps defense suppliers navigate complex qualification standards and deliver the independent test evidence required to enter and succeed in the defense supply chain.

Real technical understanding

‘Entering the defense supply chain requires more than a robust product,’ says Nadiya Trushnikova. This principle guides Kiwa’s approach to testing and qualification for defense and aviation programs. It includes environmental and mechanical testing under MIL-STD-810, microelectronics testing under MIL-STD-883 and airborne equipment qualification following RTCA DO-160. For battery systems in aviation and defense platforms, the laboratory also performs testing according to RTCA DO-311 and DO-347. ‘These are not easy standards to work with. They require real technical understanding, not just running a test procedure. What I am proud of is that our team actually understands what is behind each test method, why it exists and what it means for the product.’

Growing need for qualification and compliance testing

This engineering-driven approach distinguishes Kiwa from laboratories that offer defense testing as an extension of broader services. ‘We are not a generic test house that added defense to a list of services. We built specific competence in specific standards and our clients notice that difference.’ The importance of this expertise is increasing rapidly as defense investment rises across Europe. New programs, new technologies and new suppliers entering the market are driving higher demand for qualification and compliance testing. ‘The demand is obviously growing fast. More defense budget means more programs, more new products entering procurement and more suppliers trying to qualify for the first time.’

Environmental qualification at the heart of defense testing

Much of this demand centres on environmental qualification testing. Military equipment must withstand vibration, shock, temperature extremes and humidity across its lifecycle. ‘There’s a vast increase in requests for MIL-STD-810 environmental testing because these are required on almost every military program. At the same time, defense systems increasingly overlap with aviation technologies. This trend is creating additional demand for airborne equipment testing. We also see growing demand for DO-160 testing, because a lot of new defense-related equipment has an airborne or dual-use component.’

Involve testing experts early

Many companies contact a laboratory only after they have secured a contract and finalized their design. ‘Too late, that’s the honest answer in many cases,’ Trushnikova says. ‘If a product needs to pass MIL-STD-810 or DO-160, contacting us after the design is fixed can make modifications very costly or time-consuming. Early involvement is crucial. The right moment is during the design phase, before hardware is finalized. If a manufacturer knows in an early stage that a product will need to pass MIL-STD-810 Method 514 vibration testing, for example, that should influence how the printed circuit board is mounted, how connectors are selected and how the enclosure is designed.’ The same principle applies to battery systems. ‘For DO-311 or DO-347 for battery systems, the thermal management design, the cell selection and the protection circuit architecture all directly affect whether the product will pass qualification.’

Tailored testing for every client

When manufacturers approach Kiwa, the qualification process starts with a technical review of the product and its intended application. ‘Some customers come with their own test plan already prepared, which is actually what standards like MIL-STD-810 and DO-160 require. Our role is to review it, align on the test conditions and sample configuration and execute. Other customers need support in preparing the plan and completely rely on our expertise. Both are fine, we adapt to what the customer needs.’ Throughout the process, careful documentation is key. ‘The test report is ultimately the qualification evidence that the customer will present to their program authority or prime contractor. The goal is always a clean, complete test report delivered on time.’

Winning credibility with accredited reports

Independent testing and accredited reporting strengthen a supplier’s position in procurement. ‘An accredited test report against MIL-STD-810, DO-160 or MIL-STD-883K carries a level of credibility that an internal test report simply does not have,’ Trushnikova explains. ‘For supplier onboarding processes, accredited reports can often replace lengthy technical audits or additional verification steps, which saves time for both parties.’ For companies entering the defense supply chain, Trushnikova gives practical advice: ‘Carefully read the standard which applies to your product before you write the proposal. Then contact us, or any qualified laboratory, while you are still preparing the bid, not after you have won.’

Rising stakes for defense qualification

With defense technologies evolving rapidly and electrification gaining ground in both aviation and military platforms, the need for specialized testing expertise is only expected to grow. Geopolitical developments and rising defense budgets in Europe are accelerating program timelines and increasing pressure on suppliers to qualify new products quickly and reliably. Laboratories that combine accredited capabilities with deep technical understanding will play an increasingly important role in helping manufacturers prove the reliability of their systems and successfully navigate the defense qualification process.

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