NOTE: MIL-STD-280A has beenredesignated

as a handbook, and is to be used for guidance

purposes only. This document is no longer to be
cited as a requirement. For administrative
EEFl
MIL-HDBK-505
expediency, the only physical change from 12 FEB RUARY 1998
MIL-STD-280A is this cover page. However, this
document is no longer to be cited as a requirement.
If cited as a requirement, contractors may disregard
the requirements of this document and interpret its
contents only as guidance.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

HANDBOOK FOR
DEFINITIONS OF ITEM LEVELS, ITEM
EXCHANGEABILITY, MODELS, AND RELATED
TERMS

AMSC N/A AREA MISC

~iL-STD 280A
July 1969

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE
- Wosh;ngton, D. C. 20301

Definitims of Item Levels,

●
Item Exc~bility, Models, ond Reloted Terms

MIL-STD-280A

1. This Mil ltory Stondord is mon&tory for use by 011 Deportments ond
Agencies of tk Deportment of Defense.

2. Recommended correetks, oddtlons, or deletlons should be oddressed

to Commanding Generol, US &my Electronics Comrnond, AlTN: AMSEL-PP-ED,
Fort Monmouth, New Jersey 07703.
I MIL-STD-2WA
7 July 1969

CONTENTS

1. SCOPE
101 Purpose
1.2 Appliwtion
2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS (Not opplhablo)
3. DEFINITIONS
3.1 hem Lewis
3.1.1 Port
3.1.2 Subassembly
.3.1.3 Assembly
3.1 ● 4 Unit
3.1.5 Group
3.1.6 set
3.1.7 subsystem
3.1.8 system
3.1.8.1 Generol
3.1.8.2 Electrical-olcctronic
3.2 Exchongeobility of items
3.2.1 Interchongeoblo item
3.2.2 Roplacemmt item
3.2.3 substitute item
3.3 Models (dewlopment and ProductIon)
3.3.1 Exploratory development
3.3.2 Advanced dewlopment
3.3.3 Enghwering development (mwice test)
3.3.4 Proproductkn (prototype)
3.3.5 Prdction
3.4 othu rolotod tefms
3.4.1 Acmssory
3.4.2 Attachment
3.4.3 . Item
4. GENERAL STATEMENTS (not oppkolde)
5. DETAIL STATEMENTS (not applicable)
6. NOTES
6.1 Supusossion &to
 MIL-STD-2WA
7,Ju1y 1969

1. SCOPE

- The purpose of this standard

is to establish stqtdard terms and
“!*
definrtmns to used in describing the levels of mikry items and to designata
and define item exchongeabil ity, m~lsr ad otk related terms. These terms
apply to ● lectrical, electronic, mechanical, pneumatic and hy&aul;c Military
equipment.

Iication. - These definitions

terms and herein we to be used, as
their
applicable,
!“2 - m t research, development, procurement~ production, testing,
evaluation, distribution, operation, maintenance, “storage, and disposal of ec@ip-
ment, and the documents pertinent thereto. It is not intended that the definitions
contained in this standard shall conflict with the definitions for specific items of
supply contained in Cataloging Handbook M-l Federal Item Identification Guides
for Supply Cataloging.

2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS

(not applicable)

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 [tern levels. - Item levels (as defined below) from the simrhst
. division to
the mare complex are as follows:

Part
Subassembly
&sembly
*I*.
un~r
Group
Set
subsystem
System

3.1.1 Part. - One piece, or two or mare pi- ioined together which or?
normal Iy su-disassembly without destruction of.kigned use. (Exampk
Outer hont wheel bearing of 3/4 tan truck, electron tube, composition resistor,
screw, gear, mica capacitor, audio transformer,” milling cutter. )

L
MIL-STD-280A
7 July 1969

3.1.2 Subassembly .- Two or more parts which farm a portion of an assembly

or a unit replocea ble as a whole, but having a part or parts which are indivi~olly
replaceable. (Examples: Gun mount stand, window recoil mechanism, floating -
piston, telephone dial, IF strip, mounting board with mounted parts, power showl
dipper stick. )

3.1.3 &sembl - A number of parts or subassemblies or any combination thereof

joined toget+ er to perform a specific function and capable of disassembly. (Examples:
Power shovel-front, fan assembly, audio frequency amplifier. )

Note. - The distinction between an assembly and a subassembly is determined by

_vidual application. An assembly in one instance may be a subassembly in
another where it forms a portion of an assembly.

3.1.4 Unit. - An assembly or any combination of parts, subassembly ies and

assemblies m~ed together, norms I I y capable of independent opetwtjon in a variety
of situations. (Examples: Hydraulic jack, electric motor, electronic power supply,
internal combustion engine, electric generator , radio receiver. ) This term replaces
the term “component. ” Note. - The size of an item is a considemtion in some coses.
An electric motor for a clock may be considered as a part inasmuch as it is not nor-
mal Iy subject to disassembly.

3.1.5 Grou - A collection of units, assemblies, or subassemblies which is not

capable of per
+ ormmg a complete operational function. A group maj be a sub-
division of a set or may be designed to be added to or used In conjunction with a set
to extend the function or the utility of the set. (Example: Antenna group. )

3.1.6 Set. - A unit or units and necessary assemblies, subassemblies and prts
connected t~er or used in association to perform an operational function.
(Example: Radio receiving set, sound measuring set, radar homing set, which inclu&
parts, assemblies and units such as cables, microphone and measuring instruments. )
(“Set” is also used to denote a collection of related items such as a “tool set”, “drawing
set, ” or a “set” of tires. )

A combination of sets, groups, etc., which performs an

OpX%=% nct~on wlt m a system and is a major subdivision of the system.
(Examples: Data processing subsystem, guidance subsystcm. )

2
 .

MIL-STD-280A
7 July 1969

3.1.8 System. -

3.1.8.1 General. - A compito of equipment, skills, and techniques capable

of performing or supporting an operational rolo, or both. A complete system includes
al I equipment, related ficillths, material, softwur., services and pmannel required
for its operation and support to the degree that it cm be consMored a selfafficient
unit in its intendd aperatbnal environment. (Exampk Dew Lhe. )

3.1.8.2 Electrical-lectranic. - A combhatim of twoor moresets, which

‘ may be physically separated whe n in operation, and such other assemblies, sub-
assemblyies and parts necessary to perform an operational tiction or functions.
J

(Exampl-. AEW ●lectronic system, antiaircraft ddonse system, telephone carrier

system, GCA ●lectronic system, fir. control system including the tracking b,
computer, and gun mount. )

3.2 Exchongeablllty of items. -

3.2.1 Interchangeable item .- One, which (1) ~ such functional and

physical characteristics as to be quivalent in performance, reliability, and main-
tainability, to another item of sfmilar or Identical pu~; and (2) is capable of
being exchanged for the other item (a) without selection for fit or porformonce, and
(b) without alteration of the items thmdvos or of a~oining items, except for
a~ustment.

3.2.2 Replacement Item. - One which is interchangeable with another item,

but which differs physically from the orignal item in that the installation of the
replacement item requires operations such as dri 11ing, reaming, cutting, fi I ing,
shimming, ●tc., in addition to the normal applicatim and methods of attachnwnt.

3.2.3 Substitute item .- On. which psesses such functional and physical
Characteristics 08 to bo Capabl ● of being exchangedfor anotheronly under specified
conditions or in particular applications and without alteration of the items themselves
or of aqoining items.

3.3 Models (devolopm ont and produ ction). -

3.3.1 Exploratory devolopmen t.- An item (prolimi~ parts or circuits) us-

for ● xperimentqtion or tests to investlgote or waluate the feasibility and practicality of
o concept, &vico,. circuits, or system in brea~ or rough experhnental form,
without regard to the eventual overall fit or final form.

3
 ..
MIL-STD-280A
7 July 1969

3.3.2 Advonced devebpment. - An item used for experimentation or tests to

(a) demonstrate the technicol f easibifity of o design, (b) determine its ability to
meet existing performance requirements, (c) secure engineering data for use in
further development and, where appropriate, (d) establish the technicai requirements
for contract definition. Dependent and the
upon the complexity of the quipment
technological factors involved, it may be necessary to produce severe! successive
modeis, to achieve additional objectives. The final advanced development model
approaches the required form fac+ar and employs standard parts (or nonstandard
parts approved by the agency concerned). Serious consideration Is given to military
requirements such os reliability, maintainability, hwrmn factors and enviranrnentai
conditions.

3.3.3 En~ineering devel opment (service test) .- An item used in tests to

determine tactical suitability for military use in real or simulated environments
for which the item was designed. It closely approximates an initial production
design, has the required form , employs standard parts (or nonstundord parts approved
by ~he agency concerned) and meets the standard military requirements such as
rel iabil ity, maintain+i Iity, human factors, environmental conditions, etc.

3.3.4 Preproduction (prototype). - A item suitabie for complete evaluation of

form, fit, and performance.
it is in fina I farm in al I respects, ●mploys standard
ports (or nonstandard parts approved by the agency concerned), and is completely
representot ive of final equipment. .

3.3.5 Production .- A item in it: final form of final production design made
by production tools, ; igs, fixtures and methods. It employs standard ports (or non-
standard parts approved by the agency concerned).

3.4 Other related terms .-

3.4.1 Accessory. - An item used in conjunction with or to supplement an

assembiy, unit or set, contributing to the ●ffectiveness thereof without ●xtending
or varying the ksic function of the assembly, unit, or set. An accessory may be
used fw testing, adiusting or wli~ting purposes. (Examples: Recording camera
for rodar set, emergency power supply. )

3.4.2 Attachment. -
h item used’ for physical connection to an assembly,
unit, or set, contribu ting to the effectiveness thereof by extending or varying the
basic function of the assembi y, unit, or set. (Exampl~-: Hoisting-attach%nt on
a truck, miiiing attachment for a lathe. )

3.4.3 item. - A non~pecific term used to denote any product, inciuding

systems, mater
~ la s, parts, subassembly k, sets, accessories, etc.
4
 .

+----- -—

MIL-STD-280A
7 July 1969

4. GENERAL STATEMENTS
(not applicable)

5. DETAIL STATEMENTS
(not applicable)

6. NOTES

4.1 Supersession dota. - This standard also superdes MlL-STD-l 00 for the
definitions of accessory, attachment, group, item, part, set, subassembly, systeyn .
(genard), system (electrical-dectronic), and unit; ond MIL-STD-721 for the ~
definitions of intercha~ble, replac~ 10, and wbstitute items.

Custodians: Preparing Activl~.

Army - EL Army - EL
Navy - AS
Air Forco -26 (Proiect MISC-0361 )

Rwiew Activities:
Army - GL, Ml,=, MU, WC
Navy - OS, SH, K
Air Faco -22 , 17
Dofcnse Supply ~ncy - OH, iP
FAA

User Activities:
Amy - AT

‘i
k...
 STANOARDWATtOU ~ENT IMPROVEMENT PROP06AL
*lmwu!dam - Rfme S&)
DOCWNT u-n la ~NT TrrLa
I
NAMCOF ●U9MITTW0 -@ANIMATION 4. TvPC OF OR~ANIZATION (M- ome)

•1 VCNOOR

b. nocommondod Wffdh,:

e. ~motiondo foc Rooomnmndotbn:

REMARKS