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The human race is going through a technological explosion, the rate of knowledge gain continues to increase and new tool like AI will drive big data optimizing like we have never seam. Compared to many industries aerospace tend rightly to be conservative especially in the large transport aircraft domain. This particular industry tend to perform significant steps with each new generation of aircraft.
The cost of developing and certifying a new aircraft is now larger than it has ever been. With the two main players in this sector Airbus and Boeing when one moves the other is forced to react. There are also potential disruptors like Jet Zero and the more extreme Boom Supersonic joining the fray. In a time of increasing fuel prices the potential reduction in fuel burn ( 20-50%) offered by blended body designs will put increasing pressure on their development in mainstream designs. Combined with the development of Electric Thrust options, especially during take off and climb out where conventional designs require 3-5 times more power than in the cruise, thus sizing the engine for a short section of the flight and at a point where it is less efficient in cruise than a more modestly size engine, Particularly relevant for long hall applications.
Today we are preparing and developing the technology needed for this next generation of aircraft. Electrification, battery-powered systems, eVTOL aircraft and increasingly connected platforms are changing the operating environment for airborne equipment.
Test standards are also evolving, the forthcoming RTCA DO-160H revision is expected to reflect these broader industry developments and reinforce the need for effective qualification planning. However, an important distinction must be made.
RTCA DO-160H has not yet been formally published. RTCA DO-160G remains the current issued standard.
Manufacturers should prepare for change, but they should not treat draft requirements, committee discussions or anticipated publication dates as an approved technical baseline.
Your Test Facilitator. Not simply a test facility.
RTCA DO-160 has long been recognised as a principal environmental qualification standard for airborne equipment.
It defines environmental categories and laboratory test procedures used to assess equipment performance under conditions that may be encountered during aircraft operation.
RTCA DO-160G was issued on 8 December 2010. Change 1 followed in December 2014. DO-160G remains the current published RTCA standard while work on DO-160H continues. The direction of aerospace technology has changed significantly since DO-160G was issued.
This is particularly evident through:
aircraft electrification initiatives
hybrid-electric propulsion concepts
battery-powered aviation systems
eVTOL and advanced air mobility platforms
increased onboard connectivity
higher electrical power demands
greater numbers of electronic systems operating simultaneously
increased reliance on complex power electronics
changing electromagnetic environments
As aircraft technology changes, qualification standards must continue to evolve.
That does not mean every part of DO-160 will change equally. Nor does it mean every current qualification programme should immediately adopt draft-H assumptions.
The final requirements, categories, methods and transition arrangements must be taken from the approved publication and the applicable certification basis.
The most recent internal certification analysis identified the following position as at 8 September 2026:
| Document | Current position |
|---|---|
| RTCA DO-160G | Current published RTCA environmental qualification standard |
| DO-160G Change 1 | Published in December 2014 |
| RTCA DO-160H | Draft revision undergoing final committee and approval activity |
| EUROCAE ED-14H | Draft European counterpart |
| RTCA DO-357 | Current user guide supporting DO-160G |
| RTCA DO-357A | Planned user guide for DO-160H |
| FAA AC 21-16G | Current active FAA advisory circular |
| FAA AC 21-16H | Identified as an in-work FAA deliverable, but not yet published |
RTCA documentation targeted September 2026 for publication of DO-160H. EUROCAE also identified September 2026 as the target period for ED-14H.
However, the joint RTCA SC-135 and EUROCAE WG-14 meeting scheduled from 31 August to 3 September 2026 still included comment resolution and a proposed motion to proceed towards publication. A target date is not the same as an issued standard.
Until formal publication occurs, manufacturers should continue to identify the controlling revision within their contract, qualification plan, certification basis, TSO, ETSO or approved means of compliance.
Resonate testing provides high quality fire, mechanical, and environmental test solutions and certification services across a wide range of industrial sectors. From Primes to SME’s, Resonate Testing provides a bespoke and tailored service to our clients.
RTCA DO-357 is sometimes discussed alongside DO-160H.
That relationship requires clarification.
DO-357 is formally titled User Guide: Supplement to DO-160G. It was issued on 16 December 2014 and supports the interpretation and application of DO-160G.
It provides:
explanatory rationale
application guidance
laboratory experience
troubleshooting information
assistance in developing detailed test procedures
It does not contain mandatory requirements.
The proposed supporting guide for DO-160H is DO-357A. Current planning information indicates that DO-357A is intended to follow DO-160H rather than appear simultaneously with it. Manufacturers should therefore avoid describing DO-357 as the user guide for DO-160H.
Much of the industry discussion surrounding DO-160H has focused on electrical, power quality and electromagnetic compatibility requirements.
These areas sit outside the core mechanical and environmental testing services delivered directly by Resonate Testing.
That boundary should be stated clearly.
Resonate Testing supports relevant environmental, climatic, vibration, shock, water, corrosion, icing and fire-related requirements, subject to technical review, equipment limitations and confirmed scope.
We do not claim blanket in-house capability across every DO-160 section.
However, changes within electrical or EMC sections can still influence the wider qualification programme.
Aerospace qualification is rarely one isolated test activity.
Successful programmes may require a controlled combination of:
temperature and altitude testing
temperature variation
humidity testing
vibration testing
operational shock testing
waterproofness testing
fluid susceptibility testing
sand and dust testing
salt spray testing
icing testing
fire and flammability testing
electrical power assessment
electromagnetic compatibility testing
lightning effects testing
functional monitoring
certification evidence
Changes in one discipline can affect:
equipment configuration
operating modes
test sequencing
instrumentation
cable routing
power supplies
test fixtures
functional checks
acceptance criteria
reporting requirements
certification evidence
The practical implication is straightforward.
Manufacturers should manage DO-160 qualification as one connected evidence programme, not as a collection of unrelated laboratory bookings.
Not every aerospace organisation will be affected by DO-160H in the same way or at the same time.
Organisations should pay particular attention where they are involved in:
advanced air mobility
eVTOL platforms
hybrid-electric aircraft
battery-powered aviation systems
electrically intensive aircraft programmes
next-generation avionics
high-voltage power systems
power conversion equipment
connected aircraft systems
new aircraft certification programmes
Legacy programmes may continue to use DO-160G where that revision remains specified and accepted.
New programmes may need to assess whether DO-160H becomes applicable through:
a new certification basis
a customer requirement
an airframer specification
a new or revised TSO
an updated ETSO
an approved certification plan
a contractual change
a design change requiring requalification
Publication of DO-160H will not automatically invalidate existing DO-160G qualification evidence.
Equally, previous DO-160G evidence should not automatically be assumed to satisfy a future DO-160H requirement.
The correct approach will depend on the applicable requirement, technical differences, design configuration and acceptance authority.
RTCA is a consensus standards organisation. It is not the FAA, EASA or another certification authority.
Publication of DO-160H will establish a new industry standard. It will not, by itself, make that revision a universally accepted means of compliance for every FAA, EASA, UK CAA or customer programme.
FAA AC 21-16G currently recognises DO-160 revisions D, E, F and G, subject to its stated qualifications.
AC 21-16H has been identified as an in-work FAA deliverable. No authoritative publication date has been established in the available material.
Manufacturers must therefore distinguish between:
Publication of an RTCA standard.
Publication of supporting user guidance.
Recognition within regulator guidance.
Adoption by a TSO or ETSO.
Acceptance within a project certification plan.
Approval of the final qualification evidence.
Passing a DO-160 test does not itself grant aircraft, equipment or installation approval.
The test generates evidence. The relevant applicant and acceptance authority determine whether that evidence supports the required certification or qualification finding.
One lesson remains consistent regardless of the standard revision.
Early qualification planning reduces programme risk.
Understanding potential requirements early helps organisations:
avoid costly redesign
reduce certification delays
identify capability gaps
define realistic test configurations
establish suitable test sequences
control instrumentation requirements
confirm functional monitoring
avoid unnecessary overtesting
strengthen traceability
improve confidence in qualification outcomes
A strong preparation process should include:
Confirm the controlling standard and revision.
Identify the applicable sections and categories.
Define the equipment configuration.
Confirm installation assumptions.
Establish operating modes and functional checks.
Identify the certification or acceptance authority.
Review differences between DO-160G and the final DO-160H publication.
Determine whether previous evidence remains applicable.
Identify specialist or partner-supported test areas.
Update the qualification plan before test execution.
Manufacturers should not redesign products around rumours, draft language or informal commentary.
They should, however, maintain a controlled watch on the revision and prepare a structured gap assessment when the approved standard becomes available.
Aerospace manufacturers do not need to stop current DO-160G programmes while waiting for DO-160H.
A proportionate preparation strategy is more useful.
Where DO-160G remains the contractual or certification baseline, continue to use it unless the customer or acceptance authority agrees otherwise.
Document the selected sections, categories, configurations, operating modes and acceptance criteria.
Retain test procedures, test reports, configuration records, raw data, deviations and Environmental Qualification Forms.
Track the official RTCA, EUROCAE and regulatory publication position rather than relying on secondary commentary.
Once DO-160H is published, compare the approved changes against:
current product requirements
existing qualification evidence
planned test campaigns
equipment design changes
customer specifications
certification plans
Do not assume that using the newest revision is always mandatory or automatically acceptable. Confirm the applicable route with the customer, applicant or certification authority.
Resonate Testing supports the continued development of aerospace qualification standards.
The trends towards electrification, advanced air mobility, battery-powered systems and increasingly sophisticated aircraft electronics are clear.
Qualification standards must continue to reflect credible operating environments and emerging failure risks.
However, technical accuracy matters.
DO-160H should not be marketed as a published standard until RTCA formally issues it.
DO-357 should not be described as the DO-160H user guide.
Publication of a new RTCA revision should not be confused with automatic regulatory acceptance.
As a mechanical and environmental test laboratory, Resonate Testing will continue to monitor:
formal publication of RTCA DO-160H
publication of EUROCAE ED-14H
development of DO-357A
development of FAA AC 21-16H
changes to relevant TSO and ETSO requirements
implications for environmental and mechanical qualification programmes
Our role remains unchanged.
To help customers interpret requirements, identify practical test routes, manage qualification risk and generate clear, defensible test evidence.
Your Test Facilitator. Not simply a test facility.
Use the contact route to share the requirement, test profile, drawings or specification for review.
Whether you’re looking to contact us for the first time or have another testing requirement, we’d love to hear from you.
