An Australian Military Technical Standard Order (AUSMTSO) authorisation may be awarded to organisations for the production and design of an article11 to a Technical Standard Order (TSO). A Technical Standard Order (TSO) allows the streamlining of integration of parts and appliances into the type design of a product. The TSO is an airworthiness specification detailing the minimum safety performance standard for a specified article.
The AUSMTSO authorisation represents one way (and not the only way) to have parts and appliances approved. This is an optional step which ensures that a part or appliance complies with a minimum performance standard. Receiving an AUSMTSO authorisation is not an approval to install and use the article in the aircraft. Rather, it means that the article meets the specific TSO and the holder is authorised to manufacture it.
AUSMTSO authorisations are often awarded to organisations that design and manufacture common items that are fitted onto multiple aircraft types, for example: avionics line replaceable units, wheels, tyres, batteries, seat belts, lights, etc. Rather than those items having to be separately certified as part of each aircraft type design they are to be used on, the AUSMTSO article can be incorporated into the type design provided it meets the relevant type certification basis elements of the product. This then allows different manufacturers to apply for an authorisation to design and produce those items, provided they meet the minimum safety and performance standards as set out in the TSO.
In general, DASA will recognise items certified to either European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) or Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) TSOs for integration into Defence products. DASA may also promulgate its own AUSMTSO performance standards and issue associated authorisations.
DASR 21 Subpart O, AUSMTSO – establishes the requirements for authorisation, application, obligations and privileges that apply to organisations seeking AUSMTSO authorisations. The AUSMTSO authorisation holder must show that the design of the article meets the standards in the AUSMTSO, and that the production of the article is assured under the Defence Aviation Safety Program (DASP).
For production of the article, an applicant for AUSMTSO authorisation must hold:
a Military Production Organisation Approval (MPOA) under DASR 21 Subpart G; or
a Letter of agreement under DASR 21 Subpart F.
For design of the article, an applicant for AUSMTSO authorisation must:
use procedures for the specific design practices and activities necessary to comply with DASR 21 Subpart O, or for Auxiliary Power Units (APUs) show it holds a Military Design Organisation Approval (MDOA), under DASR 21 Subpart J;
show compliance of the article with the TSO;
declare compliance via Declaration of Design and Performance (DPP) - this is the central summary document containing the definition and all relevant references of the article. Its informational content could be compared to the one of a Type Certificate Data Sheet for products. In the DDP the applicant is required to state that the article is designed, tested and manufactured in compliance with the applicable sections of DASR 21; and
carry out the continued airworthiness obligations for the item (DASR 21.A.609).
Application for an AUSMTSO authorisation can be made to DASA using DASR Form 34 - Application for Australian Military Technical Standard Order (AUSMTSO) Authorisation by the Accountable Manager of the organisation with appropriate evidence to support the application.
The applicant must declare compliance of the item through a declaration of design and performance. The Declaration of Design and Performance (DDP) is required with the application and is to contain information per DASR 21.A.608.
DASA approval. DASA’s AUSMTSO authorisation is based on the applicant demonstrating its capability to produce and design the TSO article.
DASA will issue an AUSMTSO authorisation when it is satisfied that the applicant has:
demonstrated its capability in accordance with DASR 21.A.602B (this may also include assessing the organisation for award of a Military Production Organisation Approval (DASR 21 Subpart G), Military Design Organisation Approval (DASR 21 Subpart J) or issue of a letter of agreement (DASR 21 Subpart F));
demonstrated that the article complies with TSO, and submitted the corresponding statement of compliance; and
stated that it is prepared to comply with ongoing obligations (DASR 21.A.609).
DASA may also approve requests for the AUSMTSO authorisation holder to deviate from any performance requirements of the technical standards or airworthiness specifications in the AUSMTSO as per DASR 21.A.610. Any deviation from standards must be compensated by design features providing an equivalent level of safety.
The holder of an AUSMTSO authorisation must undertake continued airworthiness obligations listed under DASR 21.A.609. This includes keeping appropriate records; producing and maintaining manuals, and making these available to users and maintainers of the article; and having a system for collecting failures, malfunctions and defects.
AUSMTSO authorisation holders may make minor design changes without further authorisation by DASA, and shall forward any revised data to DASA for compliance per DASR 21.A.611.
DASA will conduct an oversight program of all AUSMSTO authorisation holders to assure the continuing validity of their authorisation.
AUSMTSO authorisation holders are responsible for the continued airworthiness of the article, in a similar manner that Military Type Certificate (MTC) holders are for a product.