The Joint Ordnance Commander's Group (JOCG) Subcommittee for Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) was tasked to develop the Maximum Allowable Environment (MAE) program capable of predicting the theoretical maximum response of an ordnance system's Electrically Initiated Devices (EIDs) to a wide range of Electromagnetic Environments (EMEs) and translating this information into service guidance in the form of MAEs. In addition, the program is also capable of calculating the distance at which an ordnance system will remain safe and reliable from a given emitter source. The calculations are based on the characteristics of the transmitter/antenna system and the ordnance system's MAE for the frequency range of concern. The safe separation distance calculations take into account both near-field and far-field effects.
The program is primarily intended for use by service personnel and contractors who are tasked with analyzing ordnance (containing EIDs) with respect to HERO and providing maximum safe operating EMEs to end users of ordnance items. It may also be used by ordnance manufacturers, and contractors who are either designing, building, evaluating ordnance systems and have the requirement to address the adequacy of the electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) attributes
The MAE program is designed to provide a method for ensuring accuracy in assessing the susceptibility of various ordnance and weapon systems to a wide range of potentially hazardous EMEs regardless of which branch of service performs the assessment. It is intended for use by both DoD and contractor personnel tasked with performing these assessments; by service personnel so that safe operational MAEs may be provided to the end users of these systems; and also for the developers of ordnance and weapon systems so that HERO susceptibilities may be precluded from the initial stages of design.
JSC E3 Document Library
JSC E3/SS Awareness Training Schedule and Class List