What we deliver
DO-178C requirements-based testing
Normal-range and robustness test cases from high- and low-level requirements, verification procedures and results, executed on target or a representative environment.
Structural coverage analysis
Statement coverage for Level C, decision coverage for Level B and MC/DC for Level A, plus data and control coupling analysis and resolution of gaps.
DO-254 hardware verification
Requirements-based simulation and in-target testing of FPGA and ASIC logic, elemental analysis for DAL A and B, and traceability. See DO-254.
MIL-STD-810H test planning
Life-cycle environmental profiles, method selection and tailoring for temperature, humidity, vibration, shock, altitude and sand and dust, and detailed test procedures.
MIL-STD-461 pre-compliance
Applicability of CE, CS, RE and RS requirements, pre-compliance scans on development hardware, fix-and-retest, and test plans to 461H or the 461G revision your contract cites.
ATP, ATR and qualification support
Acceptance test procedures and reports, qualification test plans, witness support at the lab and failure diagnosis for indigenised LRUs and subsystems.
What each standard asks of testing
| Standard | What it covers | Our test work |
|---|---|---|
| DO-178C | Airborne software, Levels A to E | Requirements-based tests, reviews and analyses, structural coverage, verification independence where objectives require it |
| DO-254 | Airborne electronic hardware, DAL A to E | Verification plans, simulation and hardware tests, elemental analysis, traceability |
| MIL-STD-810H | Environmental engineering considerations and laboratory tests | Tailoring, method selection (for example Method 514 vibration and Method 516 shock), test plans and procedures |
| MIL-STD-461H / 461G | Control of electromagnetic interference characteristics | Requirement applicability, pre-compliance, EMI control and test plans, failure diagnosis |
| DO-160G | Environmental and EMC tests for civil airborne equipment | Category selection, test plans and pre-compliance |
How we work
01
Read the contract
Identify the standards, revisions and levels actually called up, and any tailoring agreed with the customer or certification authority.
02
Plan verification
Write or review verification plans, test plans and procedures, and agree independence and tool qualification needs.
03
Pre-compliance and dry runs
Run requirements-based tests on target and pre-compliance checks on development hardware to find problems before formal testing.
04
Support formal testing
Coordinate with the accredited lab you select, witness tests, diagnose failures and manage retest.
05
Close out
Deliver verification results, coverage analysis, ATRs and traceability for the certification or acceptance file.
MIL-STD-461H, indigenisation and qualification work
MIL-STD-461H was released on 17 April 2026 and supersedes 461G. It is a targeted revision: In Compliance Magazine's review notes CE101 extended to 20 kHz for ships and submarines and quarter-bandwidth receiver frequency steps, with no new test equipment needed. Many programmes still specify 461G by contract, so the test plan follows the revision the contract cites. Our MIL-STD-810/461 test support page goes deeper.
In India, the 6th Positive Indigenisation List, notified on 18 August 2026, added 405 items, mostly line-replaceable units, subsystems and spares, taking the six lists to 5,417 items, as reported by Defence Standard. Each indigenised LRU needs environmental and EMI/EMC qualification testing and test documentation. We support suppliers with test plans, pre-compliance and ATP/ATR work; see Make in India and iDEX.
Software verification sits alongside development described on DO-178C avionics software and rugged embedded systems. For definitions, see the DO-178C and MIL-STD-461 glossary entries. We describe disciplines and standards here, never platforms, programmes or customers.
Standards
- ARINC 429
- ARP4754A
- DO-160G
- DO-178C
- DO-254
- DO-330
- MIL-STD-1553
- MIL-STD-461G
- MIL-STD-461H
- MIL-STD-810H
Toolchains our engineers work with
- Cadence Xcelium
- IBM DOORS Next
- LDRA
- MATLAB/Simulink
- NI PXI
- NI TestStand
- Polarion
- Rapita RVS
- Siemens Questa
- Synopsys VCS
- VectorCAST
Related work
Case studies →Fuzz and penetration testing an industrial gateway for the Cyber Resilience Act and IEC 62443-4-2
A recurring security test cycle for an industrial gateway: fuzzing, penetration tests and SBOMs mapped to IEC 62443-4-2 and the CRA.
Planning MIL-STD-810H and MIL-STD-461 pre-compliance for an indigenised rugged subsystem
Tailoring MIL-STD-810H and 461 requirements, writing procedures, running pre-scans and preparing a rugged LRU for its accredited lab campaign.
Closing DO-178C structural coverage with independent verification for a DAL B component
Independent verification closes statement and decision coverage, coupling analysis and tool qualification for a DAL B software component.
Further reading
All insights →Building an engineering or test team for a mid-market GCC in India
Ramp waves, dedicated team vs Build-Operate-Transfer, governance and the measures that matter for a mid-market GCC's engineering or test team.
Euro NCAP 2026 ADAS Testing: What Changes for SIL/HIL Test Plans and Test Capacity
Euro NCAP 2026 multiplies ADAS test variations. How to restructure SIL/HIL plans around ISO 34502 and OpenSCENARIO, and plan the capacity.
Staffing defence electronics programmes under indigenisation: DO-178C, DO-254 and test engineers
DO-178C and DO-254 skills, clearance and nationality questions, and the test-engineer demand created by India's Positive Indigenisation Lists.
Frequently asked questions
Can DO-178C verification be outsourced, and who signs off?
Yes. Test development, execution, reviews and coverage analysis can be done by an external team working under your plans. Sign-off stays with the applicant: your organisation owns the plans, verification results and Software Accomplishment Summary, and presents them to the certification authority, such as CEMILAC or DGCA in India, or the FAA or EASA. Your plans must describe the external team's role and independence.
Do you operate an accredited MIL-STD test lab?
No. We do not own an accredited environmental or EMI/EMC laboratory. We plan and tailor tests, run pre-compliance checks on development hardware, write procedures, coordinate with the accredited lab you choose, witness formal tests and help diagnose failures. The lab runs the formal test and issues the test report.
What changed between MIL-STD-461G and 461H?
461H, released on 17 April 2026, is a targeted revision rather than a rewrite. Published reviews highlight CE101 extended to 20 kHz for ships and submarines and quarter-bandwidth receiver frequency steps, with no new test equipment needed. Equipment on contracts that cite 461G is still tested to 461G; check the contract and agree any move to 461H with the procuring authority.
How long does MIL-STD-461 or MIL-STD-810H testing take?
It depends on the requirements tailored in, the number of configurations and lab availability. One industry guide from EMC Latest puts a typical MIL-STD-461 test programme at one to four weeks. MIL-STD-810H campaigns vary more, because some methods, such as humidity or long-duration vibration, run for days each. Pre-compliance testing reduces the risk of failing and rebooking lab time.
What structural coverage does each DO-178C level require?
Level C requires statement coverage, Level B adds decision coverage, and Level A adds MC/DC. Coverage is measured from requirements-based tests, and gaps are resolved by adding requirements or tests, removing dead code or justifying deactivated code. Level A also requires analysis of object code that the compiler generates without direct traceability to source.
What is verification independence under DO-178C?
For specified objectives, the person verifying an item must not be the person who developed it. Levels A and B carry most of the verification objectives that need independence. It can be met inside your organisation with separated roles, or with an external team. See independent verification and validation.
Can we hire avionics verification engineers instead?
Yes. We recruit DO-178C and DO-254 verification engineers on contract, contract-to-hire or permanent terms. Candidates are screened on hands-on work products such as test procedures, coverage analysis and review records. See hire avionics engineers and defence & aerospace engineers.
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