High intensity radiated field external environments for civil aircraft

NAWCAD, Patuxent River, Maryland, was tasked by the FAA to determine the High Intensity Radiated Field (HIRF) levels for civil aircraft operating in the US. The electromagnetic field survey apply to civil aircraft seeking FAA certification under federal aviation regulations. The HIRF survey determined the rotorcraft severe, fixed wing severe, certification, and normal environments that civil aircraft may be exposed to while operating in the continental US and its territories. The HIRF survey was accomplished by accessing EME databases, technical manuals, and phone contact with emitter operators to determine the HIRF drivers, analyze the severity, and provide a US composite environment. The US HIRF environments were subsequently harmonized with the European HIRF environment into what is known as the international HIRF environments