Book excerpt: This paper describes the Military Standard (MIL-STD) now in development for avionics installation interface standardization. Originally based upon the interface standard used by the commercial airlines, this new MIL-STD, now extensively revised, is scheduled for coordination at the end of 1982. The background which led to the development of the standard includes on analysis of the benefits expected to result from its application, the relationship between this standard and other military standards, and the similarities between this standard and the commercial (ARINC 600) standard. The open forum approach, using maximum industry participation, was used extensively over a two-year period to produce the document. The technical highlights of the standard, including weight and power dissipation limits, environmental requirements, and LRU form factors are presented. A new electrical connector, which also serves as a hold-down device, is a key element in the design approach. Air Force plans for implementation of the standard are aimed primarily at new airframes and major avionics updates of existing airframes. Also, those avionics subsystems being developed for multiple airframe application are prime candidates. (Author).