MIL-STD-188 Series Standards

The MIL-STD-188 standard, developed by the United States Department of Defense, is a set of United States military standards related to telecommunications. Maintained by the United States Department of Defense (DoD), it aims to ensure the interoperability and compatibility of military communications systems.

The MIL-STD-188 series is divided into multiple subsections, each covering specific areas of military communications, including digital transmission, satellite communications, and secure voice/data transmission. The major subcategories are:

• MIL-STD-188-100 Series - General requirements. This series includes technical standards and design objectives applicable to both tactical and long-range communications systems, focusing on interoperability and commonality. This group provides the basic guidance for the remainder of the MIL-STD-188 series:
  • MIL-STD-188-100 Military Standard: Common Long-Haul and Tactical Communication System Technical Standards: These standards provide common standards for long-haul and tactical communication systems. They specify the electrical channel and circuit parameters for establishing internal communication circuits between long-haul and tactical communication links for voice and data service. Parameters are provided for nominal 3 kHz and nominal 4 kHz voice bandwidth circuits between two-wire and four-wire users. Parameters are provided for a nominal 48 kHz FDM group bandwidth channel for data service between long-haul and low-maneuver users.
  • MIL-STD-188-110 Department of Defense Interface Standard: Interoperability and Performance Standards for Data Modems. This standard specifies the mandatory technical standards and design objectives necessary to achieve interoperability and improve performance between data modulators/demodulators (modems) used in the voice frequency band of long-haul and tactical communications systems. This standard also specifies the technical specifications of existing data modems in the inventory and provides guidance to designers of new data modems incorporating features not yet standardized. The purpose of this guide is to ensure minimum acceptable performance and maximum interoperability between existing and future data modems under specified transmission channel conditions.
  • MIL-STD-188-111 Military standard: Interoperability and performance standards for fiber-optic communication systems. This standard provides mandatory standards and optional design objectives necessary to achieve system interoperability. This standard also specifies a performance level for long-haul and tactical fiber-optic links required to meet the needs of the majority of users. This standard is not intended to be used as a comprehensive stand-alone reference for the design of new equipment and facilities or for preparing specifications. Therefore, hardware-specific design details are not included.
  • MIL-STD-188-112 Military standard: Subsystem design and engineering standards for long-haul tactical cable and wire communications: Specifies standards for cable and wire communications subsystems. This standard provides mandatory standards and recommends optional design objectives to ensure interoperability and promote compatibility and commonality among long-haul and tactical symmetrical pair and coaxial cable transmission subsystems.
  • MIL-STD-188-113 Military Standard: Interoperability and Performance Standards for Analog-to-Digital Conversion Techniques: The purpose of this standard is to establish interoperability and performance standards for analog-to-digital conversion techniques for use in both long-distance (non-tactical) and tactical communication systems. The standards published in this standard generally represent the minimum interoperability and performance specifications that must be exceeded to meet specific requirements. In short, this standard summarizes standards for converting analog signals to digital formats.
  • MIL-STD-188-114 Military Standard: Electrical Characteristics of Digital Interface Circuits: This standard specifies the electrical characteristics of unbalanced-voltage and balanced-voltage digital interface circuits typically implemented in integrated circuit technology. These circuits are used for the exchange of serial digital binary signals in any binary signal link between data terminal equipment and data circuit-terminating equipment, or between physically separate equipment, regardless of the type of information represented by the binary signals, such as digitized voice or data. The technical parameters published in this standard generally represent the minimum interoperability and performance specifications that can be exceeded to meet specific requirements. Additional non-standard interface specifications may be implemented to meet specific interoperability requirements, provided that a basic capability for interoperability with a standard interface as specified in this standard is present.
  • MIL-STD-188-115 Military Standard: Interoperability and Performance Standards for Communications Timing and Synchronization Subsystems. The purpose of this standard is to provide a standardized timing method that will fully meet Department of Defense communications timing requirements during peacetime and wartime, and support new communications functions as needed. The technical parameters published in this standard generally represent the minimum interoperability and performance specifications that can be exceeded to meet specific requirements. This standard provides guidance for achieving interoperability between existing and future communications facilities. Furthermore, emphasis is placed on maximizing system configuration flexibility to meet diverse user requirements. In short, this standard focuses on timing and synchronization requirements for communications systems.
  • MIL-STD-188-116 Military Standard: Interoperability Standards for Information and Log Traffic Interchange, Mode VI: This standard describes the minimum requirements for interchanging information and log traffic between data communications systems used in long-distance and tactical communications networks. This standard is not intended to specify a specific hardware or software design or implementation. Message formats are not included in this standard. In short, this standard specifies standards for information and log traffic interchange.
  • MIL-STD-188-120 Military standard: Military communications system standards, terms, and conditions: Provides standardized terminology and definitions for military communications systems. The content of this standard was later incorporated into FED-STD-1037 Glossary of telecommunications terms.
  • MIL-STD-188-124 Military Standard: Grounding, Bonding, and Shielding for Tactical and Long-Haul/Tactical Communication Systems (Including Ground-Based Communication Systems) describes the minimum essential requirements and objectives for grounding, bonding, and shielding of ground-based telecommunications CE equipment facilities, subsystems, and installations, including buildings and structures that support tactical and long-haul military communications systems. This standard addresses grounding, bonding, shielding, and lightning protection for telecommunications CE facilities and equipment, as well as facility ground systems. Grounding for buildings and structures is listed under the headings ground electrode subsystem, fault protection subsystem, lightning protection subsystem, and signal reference subsystem.
  • MIL-STD-188-125-1 Department of Defense Interface Standard: High-altitude electromagnetic pulse (HEMP) protection for land-based C4I facilities performing critical and urgent missions. This standard specifies minimum performance requirements for low-risk mission disruption damage or disruptions resulting from HEMP threat environments defined in MIL-STD-2169. This standard also addresses minimum test requirements to demonstrate that the prescribed performance has been achieved and to verify that the installed protection subsystem provides the operational endurance required for the completed facility. If the prescribed tests result in any hardware damage or functional disruption, a determination is made as to whether the observed event constitutes a mission disruption. This standard specifies design and test requirements for protecting systems against the effects of HEMP, including shielding, grounding, and surge protection.
  • The standard, "MIL-STD-188-125-2, Department of Defense Interface Standard: High-Altitude Electromagnetic Pulse (HMP) Protection for Ground-Based C4I Facilities," specifies minimum requirements and design objectives for high-altitude electromagnetic pulse hardening of transportable ground-based systems performing critical, urgent command, control, communications, computer, and intelligence (C4I) missions. Systems that must fully comply with the provisions of this standard are determined by the higher command. This standard specifies minimum performance requirements for low-risk protection against mission-disruptive damage or degradation resulting from high-altitude electromagnetic pulse threat environments, as defined in MIL-STD-2169. The standard also addresses minimum test requirements to demonstrate that the prescribed performance has been achieved and to verify that the installed protective measures provide the operationally required high-altitude electromagnetic pulse hardening for the completed system. If the prescribed tests result in any hardware damage or functional degradation, the system's operational officer shall determine whether the observed event is a mission-disruptive event.
  • MIL-STD-188-141, Department of Defense Interface Standard: Interoperability and Performance Standards for Medium- and High-Frequency Radio Systems. The purpose of this standard is to specify the technical performance and interface parameters, in the form of definitive requirements and optional design objectives, deemed necessary to ensure interoperability and interface standardization for new long-range and tactical radio systems in the medium- and high-frequency bands. Furthermore, the purpose of this standard is to establish a performance level for new radio equipment deemed necessary to meet the needs of the majority of users. These technical parameters, therefore, represent a minimum set of interoperability, interface, and performance standards. Provided that interoperability is maintained, the technical parameters of this standard may be exceeded to meet certain specific requirements. This means that the ability to incorporate features such as additional standard and non-standard interfaces is not precluded. In short, this standard covers parameters for conventional and adaptive radio communications, including automatic link establishment and link protection.
  • MIL-STD-188-165 Department of Defense Interface Standard: Interoperability of Phase Shift Keying (PSK) Modems for Super High Frequency (SHF) Satellite Communications: This standard covers phase shift keying (PSK) modems operating in frequency division multiple access mode. The requirements specified here represent the minimum performance characteristics required for interoperability. These requirements may be exceeded by equipment developers to meet specific service requirements. Therefore, the inclusion of additional standard and non-standard capabilities and interfaces is not prohibited.
• MIL-STD-188-200 Series - Tactical Communications. This series focuses solely on tactical communications, addressing technical standards and design objectives for battlefield communications systems. This group focuses on battlefield/tactical communications systems:
  • MIL-STD-188-203-1 Military standard: Interoperability and performance standards for tactical digital information link (TADIL A): The purpose of this standard is to specify the technical standards and design objectives necessary to achieve interoperability and promote commonality for communications equipment and subsystems used in TADIL A.
  • MIL-STD-188-203-2 Military Standard: Subsystem Design and Engineering Standards for Tactical Digital Information Link (TADIL) B: The purpose of this standard is to establish technical standards and design objectives necessary to ensure interoperability and promote commonality for communications equipment and subsystems used in TADIL B. Additionally, this standard specifies acceptable overall subsystem performance and maximum flexibility of subsystem layout to meet diverse user requirements without limitations caused by interface and incompatibility issues.
  • MIL-STD-188-212 Department of Defense Interface Standard: Subsystem Design and Engineering Standards for Tactical Digital Information Link (TADIL B). The purpose of this standard is to establish technical standards and design objectives necessary to achieve interoperability and promote commonality for communications equipment and subsystems used in TADIL B. Additionally, this standard demonstrates acceptable overall subsystem performance and maximum flexibility of subsystem layout to meet diverse user requirements without limitations caused by interface and incompatibility issues. This standard supersedes MIL-STD-188-203-2, ensuring interoperability and commonality for TADIL B systems.
  • MIL-STD-188-216 Military standard: Interoperability standards for data adapter control mode. The purpose of this standard is to establish technical standards and design objectives necessary to achieve interoperability and promote commonality for communications equipment and subsystems that utilize data adapter control mode procedures. In short, this standard specifies standards for data adapter control in tactical communications.
  • The standard, "MIL-STD-188-220 Military Standard: Interoperability Standard for Digital Message Transfer Equipment Subsystems," defines minimum essential technical parameters in the form of mandatory system standards and optional design objectives for interoperability and compatibility among digital message transfer equipment and between link, control, communications, computer, and intelligence (C4I) systems associated with digital message transfer equipment. These technical parameters are based on the data communication protocol standards specified herein to ensure interoperability. This standard defines the procedures, protocols, and parameters to be implemented in the specifications for digital message transfer equipment. This standard addresses communication protocols and procedures for the exchange of information among digital message transfer equipment and between digital message transfer equipment and C4I systems participating in inter- and intra-service tactical networks.
  • MIL-STD-188-222 Department of Defense Interface Standard: Digital Message Transfer Device Subsystems: This standard defines procedures, protocols, and parameters to be implemented in specifications for DMTDs and C4I systems that exchange information with DMTDs. This standard addresses communication protocols and procedures for exchanging information between DMTDs, C4I systems, and between DMTDs and C4I systems participating in inter-service and intra-service tactical networks.
  • MIL-STD-188-242 Department of Defense Interface Standard: Interoperability and Performance Standards for Tactical Single Channel Very High Frequency: The purpose of this standard is to promote compatibility and commonality among tactical single channel very high frequency radio equipment and to publish technical design and engineering parameters in the form of mandatory system standards and optional design targets deemed necessary to achieve interoperability.
  • MIL-STD-188-242 Department of Defense Interface Standard: Interoperability and Performance Standards for Tactical Single Channel Very High Frequency: The purpose of this standard is to promote compatibility and commonality among tactical single channel very high frequency radio equipment and to publish technical design and engineering parameters in the form of mandatory system standards and optional design targets deemed necessary to achieve interoperability.
  • MIL-STD-188-260 Department of Defense Interface Standard: Design and Engineering Standards for Tactical Terminal Subsystems. This standard publishes mandatory system standards and optional design objectives for digital and analog terminal equipment and subsystems to ensure standardized interoperability among terminal subsystems and between terminal subsystems and transmission subsystems in the MIL-STD-188 series. In short, this standard focuses on design standards for tactical terminal subsystems.
• MIL-STD-188-300 Series - Satellite communications (SATCOM). This series addresses long-distance and point-to-point communications standards in support of the Defense Communications System and the National Military Command System. This group contains standards for military satellite communications systems.
  • MIL-STD-188-300 Long-distance communication system design standards. Provides comprehensive design standards for long-distance communications within the DCS.
  • Interfaces and control protocols for MIL-STD-188-301 SATCOM terminals
  • MIL-STD-188-302 SATCOM modem interface standard
  • MIL-STD-188-303 UHF SATCOM channel access
  • MIL-STD-188-305 SHF SATCOM
  • MIL-STD-188-310A Subsystem design and engineering standards for technical control facilities: Specifies standards for technical control facilities in long-distance communications.
  • MIL-STD-188-311 Military standard: Technical design standards for frequency division multiplexers: This standard covers standards for frequency division multiplexing equipment.
  • MIL-STD-188-313 Military standard: Subsystem design and engineering standards and equipment technical design standards for long-range communications, microwave los radio, and tropospheric scatter radio: The purpose of this standard is to provide technical design standards for the performance of subsystems and equipment for line-of-sight radio transmission and tropospheric scatter radio transmission for use in long-range communications.

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