NATO UNCLASSIFIED

NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION

I
ORGANISATION DU TRAITE DE LATLANTIQUE NORD
MILITARY AGENCY FOR STANDARLX221TI ON (t WAS)
BUREAU I WLI TAI REDE STANDARDI SA TI ON (BMS)
1110 BRUSSELS
MAS/92-MMS/4236
8 March 1993
To
Subjlect
.
.
.
.
Reference :
Enclosure :
I
1. The
ratified
See MAS Distribution List No. 2
STANAG 4236 MMS (EDITION 1)
- LIGHTNING
ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, AFFECTING THE DESIGN OF
MATERIEL, FOR USE BY THE NATO FORCES
AC/310-D/88 dated 25 January 1990
STANAG 4236 (Edition 1)
enclosed NATO Standardization Aqreement which has been
by nations as reflected in paqe-iii is promulgated
herlewith.
2. The reference listed above is to be destroyed
with local document destruction procedures.
3. AAP-4 should be amended to reflect the latest
STANAG .
~lON BY NATIONAL STAFFS
4. National staffs are requested to examine paqe
in accordance
status of the
iii of the
STANAG and if they have not-already done so, t~ ~dvise the
Defence Support Division, IS, through their national delegation
as appropriate of their intention regarding its ratification and
. ..
Implementation.
S
E. STAI
Major-General, NOAF
Chairman, MAS
I
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.
.
,.
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION
(NATO)
MILITARY AGENCY FOR STANDARDIZATION
I
(M AS)
STANDARDIZATION AGREEMENT
SUBJECT :
LIGHTNING
I
MATERIEL,
ENVIRONMENTALCONDITIONS, AFFECTING THE DESIGN (IF
FOR USE BY THE NATO l!ORCES
Promul te on 8 March 1993
&&
9
.
E. STAI
Major-General,NOAF
Chairman, MAS
1
. -
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
RECORD OF mNDWNTS
I I Reference/date of I Date I 1
I
No.
I
amendment I entered I
Signature
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I l-------------------------l----------- 1---------------1
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I 1 I I I
I 1 I I 1
I 1 I I
I .! / I 1
II I I
II I I I
I I I I I
EXPLANATORY NOTES
AGREEMENT
1. This NATO Standardization Agreement (STANAG) is promulgated
Chairman MAS under the authority vested in him by the NATO Mil%tnry
tee.
2. No departure may be
the taiklng authority.
tasking authority where
original agreement.
3. Ratifying nations
tructions implementing
number for purposes of
DEFINITIONS
by the
commlt-
made from the agreement without oonsul$ation with
Nationa may propose ohanges at any time to the
they will be processed in the mme manner as the
have agreed that
thig STANAG will
identification.
national orders, manuals and ina-
include a reference to the STANAG
4. Ratifioatlon is The declaration by whit?ha nation formally aooePts
the content of this Standardization Agre~mentn.
5. Implementation la The fulfillmentby a nation of Its obligatlona under
this Standardization Agreementn.
6. Reservation 1s The stated qualification by a nation which describes
that part of this Standa~dl.zation Agreement which It cannot implement or
can implement only with limitations=.
RATIFICATION,IMPLEMENTATION AND RESERVATIONS
7. Page iii gives the details Of ratification and implementation of this
agreement. If no details are shown it slgniflea that the nation haa not
yet notified the taaklng author$ty of Ita intent~on~, page I.w (and sub-
sequent) gives details of regervation~ and proprietary rights that have
been stated.
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
,,.
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
Agreed English/FrenchTexts STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
NAVY/ARMY/AIR
NATO STANDARDIZATIONAGREEMENT
(STANAG)
LIGHTNING ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS, AFFECTING THE DESIGN
OF MATERIEL, FOR USE BY THE NATO FORCES
Annexes:
A. Definitions
B. Lightning description and environmental parameters
c. Minimum design criteria for munitions and associated systems
Related Document: None
AIM
1. The aim of this agreement is:
(a) to describe the lightning environment which may be experienced by
materiel and particularly by munitions and associated systems.
(b) to define the threat levels to be used as minimum design criteria for
all new munitions and associated systems intended for use by the NATO
forces.
AGREEMENT
.
2. Participating NatIons Agree
(a) that the lightning environment as described in Annex B may be
encountered by materiel during NATO operations.
(b) to specify the threat levels as defined in Annex C as minimum design
criteria for all new munitions and associated systems intended for use
by NATO forces.
(c) that the NATO forces consider this STANAG as a basis for continuing a
working relationship on lightning and related environmentalmatters.
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
-1-
STANAG4236
(Edition1)
I)EF1NITIONS
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
,,
-2-
See Annex A
IMPLEMENTAHON OF THE AGREEMENT
3. This STANAG is considered to be implemented by a nation when that nation
has issued the necessary order/instructionsthat all newly developed munitions
procured for its forces will be designed to remain safe and if specified,
suitable for service when exposed to the lightning environment defined in this
agreement.
E.4.236.2
NATO U NC LAS S I F I ED
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1
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NATO UNCLASSIFIED
A-1 ANNEX A to

STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
DEFINITIONS
The followingdefinitionsare used for the purpose of this agreement only.
tWT13: For clarity, these definitions are given for cloud-to-grounddischarges
but, with appropriate changes, may also apply to intercloud and intra-cloud
discharges.
1.
2.
3.
4.
patt3
5.
FLASH
The total lightning discharge.
LEADER
A preliminary breakdown that forms an ionised path.
STROKE
A component discharge of a lightning flash, which follows a leader.
FIRST RETURN STROKE
That current flow along the previously ionised path occurring when that
is complete from cioud to ground.
Subsequent RETURN STROKES-RESTRIKES
These strokes occuring after the first return stroke in a multi-stroke
flash.
6. INTERMEDIATE CURRENT PHASE
That current of a few kiloamperes which maypersist for several
milliseconds after the initial decay ofa return stroke.
7. CONTINUING CURRENT PHASE
That current which may occur between strokes and more often after the last
strew.
This current has the lowest current amplitude (between 21MJand 8U0 A) but
the longest duration.
usually occurs.
8. ACTION INrEGRAL
The energy in any
It is in this phase that the largest charge transfer
portion of the current path per ohm resistance.
The
action integral
J
i(t)2dt is measured in A~s.
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
.
ANNEX A to
ZTANAG 4236
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
A2
(Edition 1)
9. STRIKE
A lightning discharge which interacts with the object (system).
10. DIRECT STRIKE
A lightning discharge which attaches directly to the object (system)
considered and actual lightning current flows in parts or the whole of that
object (system).
11. NEARBY STRIKE
A lightning discharge which does not attach itself to the object (system),
but, due to its proximity, may induce significant current in the okject (system)
either by electric field coupling, magnetic field coupling, ground currents, or
by a combination of all three.
12. FAR FIELD STRIKE
A lightning discharge which occurs at such a distance that the only
coupling to the object (system) is by electromagnetic radiation.
E.4236A.2
NATO UN C LAS S I F IED
A-~
t
,.,
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
I B-1 ANNEX B to
ST.ANAG4236
(Edition 1)
1
LIGHTNING DESCRIPTION AND ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS
1. BACKGROUND
I
2. LIGHTNING MECHANISM
I
TABLES:
TABLE 1: PARAMETERS FOR A NEGATIVE LIGHTNING FLASH
TABLE 2: PARAMETERS FOR A POSITIVE LIGHTNING FLASH
I
FIGURES:
FIGURE 1: LIGHTNING FLASH CURRENT WAVEFORMS
FIGURE 2: ENVELOPE OF PEAK FIELD INTENSITY VERSUS FREQUENCY AT 1,5 TO
I
2,KILOMETERS DISTANCE FROM THE DISCHARGE
u /,Plf. tl 1
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
R-1
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
ANNEX B to
B-2
STAhJAG4236
(Edition 1)
1. BACKGROUND
Lightning is a natural electrical discharge (e.g. cloud to clcmd,
intracloud or C1OUU to ground) produced when the electric field resulting from
storage of electrical charges in clouds reaches the local breakdown level.
The number of thunderstorms in progress throughout the world at any instant
in time is at a level between 2000 and 501NJ. This produces about ].00electrical
discharges every second. In general the total sum of cloud to cloud and
intracloua discharges greatly exceeds the number of cloud to ground discharges
The probability of lightning occuring is considerably greater over large
land masses than over oceans.
Lightning discharges are all unique, and can only be defined c~rquantified
on a statistical basis. Statements of the values of various parameters are
derived from ground measurements, and will vary with the area in which the
measurements were made. It is not possible therefore to quote the figures nor
apply them with the same precision that is normal in other branches of
electrical science.
2. LIGHTNING MECHANISM
Discharges to ground from the negatively charged part of the cloud are
called negative flashes and from the positively charged part of the cloud,
positive flashes.
The negative charge is in the lower part of the cloud whilst most of the
positive charge is in the upper part of the cloud. For this reason something
approaching 90% of all discharges to ground are negative flashes. Graphical
representationsOf negative and positive lightning flashes are shown in Figures
l(A) and (B).
The typical lightning flash, which may have a duration of up to one second,
has two stages.
(a) the first stage of a discharge to ground is the formation of a leader
(see definition 2) made up of an ionization front generated at a
point(s) of high stress in the cloud. This leader propagates
downwards towards the ground. There is a responding leader from a
point(s) of high stress on the ground. This responding leader
propagates upwards towards the cloud. The EWO leaders arc weakly
ionized and carry only the small current required to main:ain
ionization.
E.L+236B.L
NAT()
U NC LA S S I F I E D
...____
B-s
r-
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NATO UNCLASSIFIED
B-3 ANNEX B to
STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
The two leaders can meet either close to the ground when it is termed
downwards going leader1or close to the cloud when it is termed tan
upwards going leader. They do not meet halfway.
When the two leaders meet, there is a conducting path between the
charged cloud and the ground.
(b)
E.4236B.3
The first stage is followed by return current impulses called
strokes (see definition 3). When measured at ground level, the
negative flash usually has a number of return strokes which may be
interspaced by comparativelyweak intermediate currents (see
definition 6) and there maY also be a continuingcurrentphase(s=
definition7). Whenmeasuredat groundlevel,the positiveflash
usuallyhas onlyone returnstrokeof longerdurationand longertime
to peak currentthana negativereturnstroke.
The data given in Tables 1 & 2 are all based on ground level
measurements that have been observed in different geographical
locations. Because of the changes in parameter values that take place
with changes in altitude the values given should be interpreted with
caution.
In considering the far field parameters shown in Figure 2 it should be
noted that the whole of the lightning channel contributes to the far
field conditions, and the differences observed at ground level between
upwards and downwards going leaders do not apply.
In computer models of the lightning channel it has been observed that
the return stroke from a downwards going leader has the
characteristics at ground level of a negative discharge, but at or
near to the cloud the discharge is a single pulse. The return stroke
from an upwards going leader has the characteristicsat ground level
of the positive discharge, but near to the cloud characteristics
tend to change to those of the negativedischarge. It is
interesting to note most negative discharges have a downwards going
leader whilst most of the positive discharges have an upwards going
leader. This may be the explanation of the characteristic differences
observed in the negative and positive discharges to ground when
measured at ground level.
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
B3
NAT(J U N CLAS s 1 f i titi
I
ANNEX B to
STANAG4236
(Edition1)
B-4
PARAMETERSFOR NEGArKVE LIGHTNING FLASH MEASURED AT GROUND LEVEL

PARAMETERS LI.GHTNINGPARAMETIIRS
UNIT AVERAGE (50%) SEVERE (2%)
Number of strokes 3 11
Time intervals between strokes ms 6(I 320
Peak current (lst stroke) M 20 2(JO
Peak rate of rise (lst stroke) A/S 2.2 x 1010 3 x lo~~
Time to peak (all strokes) us 1.6 1.2
Pulse width at half peak us 45 170
current (all strokes)
PeaK current (subsequent strokes) kA 10 100
Peak rate of rise (subsequent strokes A/S 2.2 x lul~ 1 x Loll
Amplitude of continuing current A 14(I 500
Duration of continuing current s 0.16 0.5
Charge passed in continuing current c 26 110
Action integral
A2s
2 x 104
106
Charge per stroke c
I
5 20

Total charge in flash

Ic 15
I
~
200
.____
+
1
~
Flash duration
/s I 0.18 1
I
~ -- .
Note : The indivic!ua~parameters indicatedabove are approximate and represent a
consensus of experimental measurements. They do not necessarily occur together
in.one flash,
rAB!JiL
..
NAT(J U NC LAS S I F 1 E D
-. -
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
B-5 ANNEX B tO
STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
I
PARAMETERS FOR POSITIVE LIGHTNING FLASH MEASURED AT GROUND LEVEL
-
PARAMETERS LIGHTNING PARAMETERS
UNIT AVERAGE (50%) SEVERE (2%)
Peak current kA 25 170
Peak rate of rise A/S 2.5 x 107
1.7 x 1(.)10
Time to peak us 20 120
-
Totallcharge in flash c 70 30U
Action integral
A2s
5 x 105 8 x 106
Flash duration s 0.1 0.4
.
TABLE 2
Notes :
1. The proportion of positive flashes is approximately 10% of total flashes
2. The individual parameters indicated above are approximate and represent a
consensus of experimental measurements. They do not necessarily occur
together in one flash.
E.4236B.>
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
B-5
ANNEX B to
STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
NATO UNCLASSIFIED

B-6
..- .
(A) REPRESENTATION OF THE NEGATIVE LIGHTNING FLASH CURRENT WAVEFORM
(from A Ground-Lightning Environment for Engineering Usage by Cianos &
Pierce)
.
--
[
-)
5 10
Time
m> ms ms
(Ilol 10 scale)
(B) RiZPREsENrATl~NOF THE JJos~~xvELIGHTNING FLAsH CURRENr wAIJEFo~],rJ
FIGURE 1: LIGHTNING FLASH CURRENT WAV.EI?ORM
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NATO UNCLASSIFIED
c-l ANNEX C to
STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
MINIMUM DESIGN CRITERIA FOR MUNITIONS AND ASSOCIATED SYSTEMS
The following table defines the minimum desigricriteria parameters for munitions
and associated systems intended for use by NATO forces. (See Notes 1 and 2)
PARAMETERS UNIT VALUES
Peak current kA 200
first return AIS 3 x lol~
Max di/dt stroke
subsequent A/s 1 x 1o11
strokes
Total Action Integral
A2s
4 X 106
(See NOTE 3)
amplitude A 50U
Continuing
current
duration s 0.5
TA13LN1: Minimum design criteria for munitions and associated systems.
1. The above tabie is derived from the basic parameters given in tables 1 and
2 Annex B.
2. The table is related only to direct and nearby strikes effects other than
I
those due to mechanical excitation.
3. Munitions and associated systems which are intended only for airborne
applications and are protected during storage, leading and prior to flight
may be designed to an action integral reduced by a factor of 2 from that
given in Table 1.
E.4236C. L
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
c-i
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..
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
STANAG 4236
(Edition1)
RATIFICATION AND IMPLEMENTATIONDETAILS
STADE DE RATIFICATION ET DE MISE EN APPLICATION
.---.--..--.--------------------0---------------------------------------------------- -----.
/
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DOCUMENT
NATIONAL DE
MISE EN
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------------------------------------
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I DATE PREVUE DATE REELLE I
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II
IN I
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STANAG 4236
(Edition 1)
NATO UNCLASSIFIED
- iv-
RESERVATIONS/RESERVES
FRANCE:
will not
the Navy
FRANCE
sera pas
que clans
As this STANAG does not take account of the multiburst environment, it
be applicable to aeronautical equipment. It will be implemented only in
and the Army.
Ce STANAG ne prenant pas en compte lenvironnement
appliqu~ pour le mati$riela6ronautique. 11 ne sera
la marine et larm6e de terre.
UNITED STATES
IlmultiburSt e
mis en application
With regard to Table 1, page C-1, the US will use a value of 2 x1o6 for
the Total Action Integral!and will use 0.4 sec. for the Continu~ng Current
Duration.
ETATS-UNIS
En ce qui concerne le tableau 1, page C1, les Etats-Unis utiliseront
Une valeur de 2 XI06 pour I
flllnt&grale dlaction totaleiq et 0,4 s pr>urla dur~e
du courant continu.
NATO SANS CLASSIFICATION N
-~v-.
Z.423b.k