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Military-grade solutions are sufficient for some defense applications. For equipment or vehicles that will operate in the most demanding, mission-critical environments, however, engineers and procurement officials will more likely require switches that meet stringent U.S. military specifications (MIL-Spec) or the even stricter industry gold standard: military-qualified (MIL-qualified) designation.
What it Means to be MIL-Qualified
MIL-qualified products meet one or more military specifications, have been independently verified to those specifications, and are then approved and certified by the U.S. Department of Defense for performance and reliability. Once approved, products are added to the Defense Department’s Qualified Products List (QPL), which is now an online repository known as the Qualified Products Database (QPD).
Engineers and buyers rely on the QPL to select products for mission-critical military and aerospace applications. The QPL assures customers that they are receiving compliant products without the burden of doing their own testing or verification.
OTTO has more than 75,000 MIL-Spec switches, the industry’s largest selection. Many of these switches have already become MIL-qualified or are in the process of being added to the QPL after extensive testing in its in-house, A2LA-accredited laboratory. The lab conducts numerous tests, many of which simulate harsh environmental and operational conditions such as dust, sand, rain, vibration, and shock to ensure compliance.
It’s important to note that a product can meet a military standard but not be formally qualified for specific MIL/aero uses. Consult with OTTO about compliance with applicable standards and the appropriate MIL/aero solutions.
Look up OTTO’s MIL-qualified switches, cross-referenced by the military and OTTO part numbers.
MIL-Spec (Military Specification)
A set of technical and performance requirements issued by the U.S. Department of Defense. Two primary types include:
MIL-PRF (Performance Specification) defines how a product must perform. For example, MIL-PRF-8805 covers many OTTO electromechanical switches, including select pushbuttons, basic switches, toggles and limit switches.
MIL-DTL (Detail Specification) outlines how a product must be designed and manufactured. Although grips cannot be military specified as switches can, OTTO’s B8 and Cobra flight grips are built in accordance with MIL-DTL-25561.
MIL-Qualified (Military Qualified)
A product is MIL-qualified when it:
1) meets military specification requirements through formal testing under extreme conditions, and
2) has been certified and approved by the Defense Logistics Agency, a U.S. Department of Defense agency.
Qualified Products List (QPL) or Qualified Products Database (QPD)
Originally known as the QPL, the QPD is the official U.S. Department of Defense list of MIL-qualified products. Using this list, buyers can find approved products without conducting their own testing or certification.
MIL-Grade (Military Grade)
MIL-grade products have been engineered for rugged environments and may be designed in accordance with military standards (often identified by an MS prefix). These products have not been formally tested or approved for qualification.
5/6/2026
