MIL-STD-1399 Explained: Power Interface Standards for Naval Systems
When designing electronic equipment for naval ships, it’s not enough to just survive harsh sea conditions. Your system also needs to integrate seamlessly with the ship’s power infrastructure—and that’s where MIL-STD-1399 comes in.
This critical military standard ensures that all electronic equipment on board a ship can communicate, function, and interoperate reliably with shipboard power and signal interfaces.
In this post, we’ll explain what MIL-STD-1399 is, why it’s important, and what engineers need to know when designing equipment for naval vessels.
What Is MIL-STD-1399?
MIL-STD-1399 is a United States military standard that defines interface requirements for shipboard systems, particularly focusing on electrical power interfaces between the ship’s power distribution system and installed equipment.
It provides common interface definitions to ensure compatibility between:
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Ship power supplies (AC/DC, frequency, voltage, etc.)
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Electronic and electromechanical equipment installed on board
The standard is used widely in U.S. Navy and allied naval programs.
What Does MIL-STD-1399 Cover?
MIL-STD-1399 is broken into several sections, each addressing a specific type of interface or system behavior. These sections are often treated as standalone documents depending on the application.
Key Sections Include:
| Section | Title | What It Covers |
|---|---|---|
| 300A | Electric Power, AC | 440V/60Hz and 115V/60Hz shipboard AC power |
| 300B | Electric Power, DC | DC power interfaces (commonly 24V or 28V) |
| 070 | Noise Limits, Interface and Control | Limits on conducted/radiated noise and transients |
| 480 | Synchro Systems | Electrical interface for synchro transmitters |
| 470 | Shipboard Grounding & Bonding | Safety and EMI mitigation grounding standards |
| 302 | Power Conditioning Requirements | For sensitive or mission-critical electronics |
The most widely used section is MIL-STD-1399 Section 300 (AC and DC power), which standardizes voltage levels, frequency tolerances, power factor expectations, harmonic content, and electrical noise limits for shipboard power systems.
MIL-STD-1399 Section 300A (AC Power) – Key Highlights
This section defines how shipboard equipment should behave on 60 Hz AC power, including:
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Voltage ranges:
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440V 3-phase
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115V single-phase or line-to-neutral
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Frequency:
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Nominal 60 Hz, with allowable variations
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Power factor:
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Minimum 0.8 lagging
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Voltage imbalance:
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Max 3% phase-to-phase variation
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Harmonic distortion:
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Limits on total harmonic distortion (THD)
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Transient tolerance:
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Ride-through or reset behavior during surges and sags
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Why it matters: If your system can’t tolerate the ship’s power quality, it could shut down, overheat, or interfere with other equipment—potentially jeopardizing mission readiness.
ETA-USA’s CH-M500 , CH-M1000 , and CH-M2000 series meets 115Vac 60Hz power profiles and used mil-approved D38999 connectors as standard.
MIL-STD-1399 Section 300B (DC Power) – Key Highlights
Section 300B covers DC-powered systems, typically using:
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24 VDC
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28 VDC
It specifies:
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Voltage regulation tolerances
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Ripple voltage limits
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Load step response
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Noise immunity and conducted emissions
This section is especially relevant for:
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Fire control systems
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Lighting and emergency gear
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Communication equipment
Who Needs to Comply?
MIL-STD-1399 applies to:
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OEMs building systems for naval platforms
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System integrators developing shipboard electronics
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Defense contractors working with the U.S. Navy or allies
Any electronic system that plugs into ship power must be tested for compatibility, stability, and survivability under MIL-STD-1399 specifications.
How Compliance Is Verified
While MIL-STD-1399 itself doesn’t prescribe test procedures, compliance is typically verified through:
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Interface Control Documents (ICDs)
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Power conditioning analysis
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Bench testing using MIL-STD power simulators
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Lab or on-board trials under nominal and off-nominal conditions
EMC compliance testing is often done in parallel using MIL-STD-461.
Design Considerations for MIL-STD-1399
If you’re developing shipboard equipment, here’s what you should do early:
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Design for wide AC voltage and frequency tolerance
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Include EMI filters to reduce conducted emissions
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Provide hold-up time for power sags
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Confirm grounding schemes meet ship standards
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Test with power simulation equipment mimicking naval power profiles
Pro tip: MIL-STD-1399 is not just a design goal—it’s a system integration requirement. Even if your product is COTS (commercial off the shelf), it must be qualified for shipboard use.
MIL-STD-1399 ensures that shipboard systems don’t just function—they integrate. It prevents power issues, communication errors, and costly retrofits by defining clear electrical expectations upfront.
For naval electronics, it’s not enough to be rugged and high-tech. You also need to be electrically compatible with the rest of the ship. MIL-STD-1399 bridges that gap between smart technology and real-world integration. Here are some of ETA-USA’s products designed to meet MIL-STD-1399 :
Are these what you’re looking for? ETA-USA can also design power supplies to meet your requirements. Please do not hesitate to contact us.
