Aircraft maintenance worker. ASD-STE100 guidelines have helped ensure clear and safe technical documentation in aerospace operations

A milestone in Simplified Technical English: ASD-STE100 Issue 9

ASD-STE100 Issue 9 introduces refined terminology, updated rules, and industry collaboration to enhance technical communication. The first copy was sent to McLaren, the 2024 F1 Constructors' World Champions.

ASD is pleased to announce the release of ASD-STE100 Issue 9. This latest edition marks a significant step in the evolution of Simplified Technical English (STE).

STE is a controlled language designed to enhance the readability and consistency of technical documentation in industries such as aerospace, defence, manufacturing, and beyond. Catering to global users with different native languages, STE100 ensures that technical manuals, instructions, and documentation in English are easily understood by everyone.

ASD-STE100 Issue 9 was developed and is maintained by the ASD Simplified Technical English Management Group (STEMG), with the ongoing goal of keeping STE100 up to date to meet the evolving needs of the industry and user community. 

 

Revised STE terminology for global relevance 

One of the notable advancements in Issue 9 is the review and update of legacy terminology established in the 1980s with the early releases of AECMA Simplified English.

ASD-STE100 Issue 9 aligns with international standards such as ISO 1087-1:2019, and includes terminological refinements. This effort involved reclassifying “technical nouns” and “technical verbs” to better align with their respective subject fields.

While Issue 9 does not introduce new rules, it includes revised wording in 31 of the 53 existing rules. To reflect the latest linguistic and technical standards, 555 entries in the dictionary – comprising words, definitions, and examples – were updated. 

ASD-STE100 Issue 9 Key Data

  • 434 pages 

  • 31 rules with revised wording 

  • 555 dictionary entries update

  • Used in 129 countries

Following the tradition of previous issues, Issue 9 is the result of extensive collaboration between the ASD Simplified Technical English Management Group (STEMG), academic experts, and STE users worldwide. The pre-release phase allowed for a two-month global feedback period, ensuring that the final release is validated by real-world use and expert input.

The first copy was sent to McLaren, the 2024 F1 Constructors' World Champions. As a leader in high-performance engineering, McLaren represents the kind of industry where clear and precise technical communication is critical. This underscores the broad applicability of STE across advanced manufacturing and engineering sectors beyond aerospace and defence

ASD-STE100

To download the latest ASD-STE100 Issue 9, please visit the official ASD-STE100 website's Downloads page. There, you can request a free copy by following the instructions

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