PURPOSE The purpose of this AP is to guide personnel involved in the planning and implementation of S3 assessment testing of munitions to enable appropriate evidence covering the entire life cycle. The objective of the safety test program defined by this AP is to provide data to demonstrate that the munition will be ??safe for use??@ as defined in AAS3P-1@ throughout the potential deployment possibilities in NATO service. APPLICATION The guidance provided in this AP is applicable to large caliber ammunition greater than 40mm projects used by NATO Nations; multi-national munition projects as well as for National munition projects. The munitions covered by this document include all munitions greater than 40mm for artillery@ tank@ and naval use. LIMITATIONS This AP is not intended to be used in the assessment of effectiveness@ reliability@ or performance of a munition unless failure to be reliable or to perform effectively is deemed to represent a direct and immediate safety hazard to the user or other personnel. However@ the data may be used in support of effectiveness@ reliability@ or performance assessment. This AP is only applicable to large caliber ammunition greater than 40mm. This document does not address fuze qualification. Guidance should be sought from Allied Ordnance Publication (AOP)-20 or National fuze standards. This document does not address mortar ammunition. Procedures related to Gun Launched Guided Munitions (GLGM) are to be integrated into this AAS3P with its following edition. Until this takes place@ the design safety requirements standard for fuzes which is STANAG 4187 also applies for fuzes of GLGM@ and the fuze procedures document is AOP-16. Test Requirements for S3 Assessment of fuzes of GLGM are documented in STANAG 4157 in connection with AOP-20.