This handbook provides non-regulatory guidance and information for the preparation of technical manuals (TM) required to operate and maintain the various types of equipment and weapon systems within the Department of the Navy. It provides preferred format and general writing style, graphics, revisions, comprehensibility, and security guidance for the preparation of digital data for the delivery of all types of work package TMs. Section 4 provides technical manual development guidance for the preparation of page-based TMs. Section 5 provides technical manual development guidance for the preparation and display of linear structured, scrollable, Electronic Technical Manuals and frame-based Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals. Linear, scrollable Electronic Technical Manuals (hereafter referred to as ETMs) and frame-based Interactive Electronic Technical Manuals (hereafter referred to as IETMs) are digital in form and designed for interactive display to maintenance technicians or system operator end users by means of a computer controlled Electronic Display System (EDS). Although this handbook encourages the delivery of digital files, the requirement for digital files, paper, or both will be specified by the requiring activity. This handbook provides guidance only. It cannot be cited as a requirement. If it is, the contractor does not have to comply.
