ASD Simplified Technical English

ASD Simplified Technical English (ASD-STE100), formerly known as AECMA Simplified English, is an international specification for writing aerospace and defense documentation. The use of this specification is mandatory for many commercial and military projects worldwide. S1000D and ATA iSpec 2200 require the use of ASD Simplified Technical English for any documentation in English.

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More Information on ASD Simplified Technical English

English is the official language for technical documentation in the aerospace and defense industries. However, many end-users are easily confused by complex sentence structures and by the number of different meanings and synonyms of English words. This applies especially to the many end-users who are not native English speakers.

As a result of joint efforts of AECMA (European Association for Aerospace Industries) and AIA (Aerospace Industries Association of America), the first issue of a controlled language for the aerospace and defense industries was released in 1986, entitled:

AECMA Simplified Technical English, PSC-85-16598 "A Guide for the Preparation of Aircraft Maintenance Documentation in the International Aerospace Maintenance Language".

In 2004, AECMA merged with EDIG (European Defense Industries Group) and EUROSPACE (Association of the European Space Industry) to form ASD, the Aerospace and Defense Industries Association of Europe. As a result, AECMA Simplified English was renamed to ASD Simplified Technical English. It also became an official Specification: ASD-STE100.

ASD Simplified Technical English is characterized by a defined grammar and syntax rules, and a limited vocabulary. Today the standard is maintained by ASD and AIA members, which include companies such as British Aerospace, Airbus, Aermacchi, The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin, Rolls-Royce, EADS, Dassault and Saab Aerosystems.

ASD Simplified Technical English requirement

Programs that use ASD Simplified Technical English include:

• Boeing 737, 747, 757, 767, 777, 787, 7E7 (commercial), including equipment and engines
• Airbus A319, 320, 321, 330, 340 (commercial), including equipment and engines
• Nimrod 2000 (military)
• Beriev Be-200 (amphibious)
• Tornado (military)
• Eurofighter (military)
• Eurocopter EC 120 helicopter (commercial)
• Eurocopter NH 90 (military)
• Chinook helicopter (military)

Furthermore, ASD Simplified Technical English has become a requirement for the following standards:

• S1000D, an international standard for defense and aerospace documentation (AECMA/ASD)
• ATA iSpec2200, an ATA (American Transportation Association) standard for aircraft maintenance documentation