Aircraft and HIRF: In the past most aircraft used a series of cables, chains, cranks, and mechanical mechanisms

to operate the systems which gave the aircraft its ability to fly. With the advent of the transistor many mechanical devices have been replaced or augmented with electronic circuits. Electronic circuits have increasingly been designed and used for flight critical aircraft control systems, due to their ability to accurately control complex functions and increase reliability. Electronic circuits, however, not only respond to their internal electrical signal flow, but may respond to any input which can couple into the wire bundles, wires, integrated circuit (IC) leads, and electrical junctions. The electromagnetic environment (EME) is one of these inputs that by its nature has access to all these electronic circuits and may result in disabling effects called electromagnetic interference (EMI). Concern for the safety of flight of aircraft employing electrical/electronic systems when subjected to the effects of an external HIRF environment has increased substantially due to the following principal factors: a. Greater dependence on electrical/electronic systems performing functions required for continued safe flight and landing. b. Possibility of reduced EM shielding afforded by composite materials. c. Potential increase in susceptibility of integrated circuits due to increased operating speed and density. d. The expectation that the external RF environment will become increasingly severe due to an increase in the number and power of RF emitters. The reliance upon similar redundancy as a means of protection against the effects of HIRF may be negated if the backup systems are also electronic and susceptible to HIRF The aircraft skin and structure have also evolved. The classic aircraft is made of aluminum and titanium structure with an aluminum skin. Modern technology and the desire to develop more efficient aircraft (the efficiency being an aircraft that can carry more payload further) have driven the introduction of carbon-epoxy structure, carbon-epoxy skins, and aramid fiber-epoxy skins in civil aircraft. Aluminum may be a good shield against HIRF and hence electronic circuits are provided inherent protection. However, some composites are poor shields and HIRF can irradiate the electronic systems on such aircraft with relatively little attenuation. This guide stresses the need to balance the HIRF hardening design between equipment and the aircraft to provide adequate protection from HIRF. The intended result is an aircraft certification wherein the safety of flight will not be compromised when the aircraft encounters HIRF. About IHS