At CEMILAC we follow concurrent certification where in the certification activity and Design and Development (D&D) activities go hand in hand. The process of airworthiness certification starts right from capturing requirements. Once the requirements are ready, a feasibility study for the requirements is carried out with inputs from CEMILAC. System safety analysis will be done to determine the criticality classification and functional hazard along with their severity. The severity classification will decide the extent of certification activities. As the designer progresses through design, development, and realization of the product, documentation is produced, reviewed, and commented on by CEMILAC/RCMA at various stages of D&D. Certain documents require approval by CEMILAC before further design and evaluation activities can proceed. All inspection activities are covered by an independent government-nominated inspection agency. CEMILAC performs system evaluations through reviews, analysis, and qualification testing, ensuring the system is robust and reliable for all environmental conditions. Following this, CEMILAC issues clearance for the system's use on the intended airborne platform for development trials. If the equipment is not flight-critical, it can undergo flight testing after minimal safety of flight testing. After a series of trials and satisfactory performance reports from services, CEMILAC extends clearance for production by granting type approval for each design. Type Approval is not an assurance for a production order.

CEMILAC provides airworthiness certification for Indian Airborne Platforms, including Aircraft, Helicopters, Parachutes, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Aerostats. Every system, Line Replaceable Unit (LRU), component, material, and software used in Indian Military airborne platforms must be certified. Any system or component, whether externally or internally mounted to the airborne platform, must be certified by CEMILAC to meet the Armed Forces' performance, reliability, and life requirements. As an end result of certification, a type certificate, also known as a type approval, is issued, which grants authority to produce/manufacture the product under government inspection and designated RCMA supervision. Certification follows the government guidelines detailed in DDPMAS-2002, Volume 1 & 2 (available in the guidance material section).

Any organization, PSU, company, or firm involved in the design and development of products for Indian defense airborne applications can approach CEMILAC for airworthiness certification, regardless of whether they have an order from the services, DRDO, or PSUs.

Design Organization Approval Scheme (DOAS)

What is DOAS?
  • DOAS is a way to recognize the Design Organization (DO) that has a well-defined Design Assurance System (DAS) enabling them to apply for Military Type Certificates (MTC) for Air Systems and Type Approvals (TA) for Airborne Stores.
  • DOAS is not a pre-requisite for bidding processes or development contracts.
  • DOAS approval is 'Process Driven' and aligns with international practices.
Intent of DOAS
  • Ensures the capability of firms to meet Airworthiness Certification Requirements.
  • Provides an effective engagement between Design Organizations and CEMILAC.
  • Focuses on the Design Assurance Process.
  • Required for firms developing critical and complex products leading to Type Certification (Aircraft) and Type Approval (LRUs).
Scope of DOAS
  • Leverages industry-driven accreditation processes like AS9100, CMM, and NADCAP approvals.
  • Applies to main contractors developing complex products such as:
    • Air systems (Aircraft, Helicopters, Engines, Missiles)
    • Airborne Equipment (Flight and Mission Critical Systems, LRUs)
  • Does not apply to organizations that develop modules, components, and materials for Air Systems or Airborne Equipment.
  • Allows flexibility for main contractors to select and integrate sub-modules.
Prerequisites for DOAS
  • Should be AS9100 Approved to ensure basic development processes are in place.
  • Must have a robust Design Assurance Process, including:
    • Establishment of an Airworthiness Group & Independent Monitoring Group.
    • Exclusive Compliance Verification Engineers for Independent Verification & Validation.
    • Rigorous Analysis and Review Processes.
    • Required tools for analysis and testing.
    • Stringent Configuration Management.
  • Must submit a Design Organization Exposition Manual covering:
    • Design Assurance Process.
    • Organizational structure ensuring the Design Assurance Process.
Benefits of DOAS

For D&D Organizations:

  • Privileges such as delegation of some activities to the 'Airworthiness Group'.
  • Reduced stage-gated certification visits to CEMILAC, speeding up product development.
  • International recognition through mutual recognition with foreign airworthiness authorities.

For User Services:

  • Ensures adherence to the demonstrated process throughout the product lifecycle.
  • Reduces latent defects with high-reliability products through strict process adherence.
Eligibility Criteria
  • DOs registered in India.
  • DOs must meet one of the following:
    • For Air System Design Organization (ASDO)
      • One Type Certificate (TC) / Amended Military Type Certificate (MTC) for complex airborne systems.
      • Test experience and capacity.
    • For Airborne Stores Design Organization (ASO)
      • At least one type approval (TA) for critical airborne stores developed under the certification regime.
      • Fulfills eligibility requirements listed under item (i) or equivalent design approval under international standards.

  • Application for Booking the Services of C-CAT Centre, CEMILAC

    Download Form

  • Application for Booking the Services of SCC, CEMILAC

    Download Form

  • Application for Booking the Services of SRM Centre, CEMILAC

    Download Form

Centre for Military Airworthiness and Certification (CEMILAC), has taken the initiative to implement the e-Certification to boast the digital India drive. The e-Certification is intended to facilitate improved decision-making and operational efficiency in CEMILAC through the use of effective workflow and Knowledge Management. In order to provide effective, transparent services to the design & development agencies, and users, CEMILAC has stepped towards the e-Certification process. CEMILAC e-Certification process shall allow stakeholders to access all services holistically as a single window solution.
The Design/Development Agency (DA) seeking the CEMILAC Certification requires to register through the e-Certification Portal (ECP). The registration application will be verified by CEMILAC competent authority for acceptance. Based on acceptance by the competent authority, CEMILAC Admin will inform the Design Agency and establish a channel of communication for the submission of requisite information for airworthiness certification.
The Design Agency Registration can be done through the web portal https://cemilac.drdo.gov.in

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