| All military and defense related items needs to be | | | | The two types of identification marking as per |
| standardized according to the MIL-STD-130L | | | | the new MIL-STD-130M standard are discussed |
| standard to be UID compliant. However, certain | | | | briefly as follows. |
| problems were observed regarding the item | | | | Human-readable information (HRI) marking |
| marking method and that’s why the | | | | As per the new MIL-STD-130M standard, HRI |
| Department of Defense (DoD) made certain | | | | marking should be done in a clear text conveying |
| amendment in the previous MIL-STD-130L | | | | required information, fully visible and readable |
| standard and a new standard known as | | | | without the use of interpretative devices. This is |
| MIL-STD-130M was proposed on 2nd December | | | | defined in section5.2.2 of the new standard. The |
| 2005. As compared to the earlier standard, this | | | | HRI based text should have information about the |
| new MIL-STD-130M has been proposed in a | | | | item identifying number, part number and LOT |
| thoroughly detailed manner so as to offer better | | | | number of the tangible military products. Guidance |
| guidance. | | | | for the machine-readable information marking |
| Starting from label verification to direct part | | | | protocol utilized should also be included as |
| marking, the new MIL-STD-130M standard is | | | | supplement in the HRT text form. |
| involved in every aspect of item identification | | | | Machine-readable information (MRI) marking |
| process. Permanent labels must be used in all | | | | Along with human readable marking, machine |
| tangible military items. However, those labels must | | | | readable marking (MRI) is also mandated for all |
| be non-removable, chemical resistant, fade | | | | items according to the new amendment in the |
| resistant, scratch resistant and legible for the life | | | | MIL-STD-130 SPEC. for MRI marking, pattern of |
| of the item being affixed. Various materials such | | | | squares, bars, dots, or other specific shapes |
| as polyester, brushed aluminum foil, polyimide, high | | | | containing information interpretable through the |
| quality paper, laser etching and dot peened tags | | | | use of equipment are designed specifically. The |
| are used. | | | | patterns can either be visible or can also be |
| Scope of MIL-STD-130M | | | | applied for ultraviolet, infrared, or other |
| As per the MIL-STD-130 SPEC, there was an | | | | non-human visible reading capabilities including digital |
| impending requirement for military product data | | | | protocol applications. It should have serial number, |
| content to be available for both human-readable | | | | part number, manufacturer’s identification |
| information (HRI) i.e. free text and | | | | number and National Stock Number (NSN). |
| machine-readable information (MRI) applications of | | | | However, certain military items such as Electron |
| item identification marking and the new | | | | Tubes, Batteries, Rayon or Woven garment, |
| MIL-STD-130M addresses that very criterion. This | | | | Rocket Motors, Petroleum and related products |
| item identification marking method is a must for all | | | | and Integrated Circuits manufacturing are |
| military property produced, stored,, stocked, and | | | | excluded from the provisions of this standard as |
| issued by or for the Department of Defense | | | | per MIL-STD-130 SPEC. Mechanical Tubing, Carbon |
| (DoD). The figures in this MIL-STD-130M standard | | | | and Low-Alloy Steels, Aircraft Tubing and Copper |
| are intended only for better illustration of the | | | | Base Alloy Mill are some of the industries which |
| textual context and hence the presence or | | | | are also excluded from using the new |
| absence of figures has no bearing on the | | | | MIL-STD-130M standard. |
| applicability of the stated standard. | | | | |