This study addresses critical limitations in China’s current gunfire vibration testing standards for military aircraft structures and equipment. The widely adopted “General Spectrum” method (Procedure IV per GJB 150.20A-2009) employs random vibration formats that significantly deviate from actual gunfire environments. Field measurements revealed these standardized spectra fail to capture the transient shock-pulse characteristics of real gunfire events, with amplitude discrepancies exceeding fivefold and substantial energy mismatches that invalidate cumulative damage assessments. To overcome these issues, the research developed a comprehensive data-driven methodology. Field measurements of gunfire vibrations in aircraft equipment cabins were used to construct a Shock Response Spectrum (SRS) that accurately models the multi-pulse energy distribution and structural dynamic coupling. For inaccessible high-impact zones, the Operational Path Analysis with eXogenous inputs (OPAX) method was implemented, enabling reliable response predictions at critical locations through time-domain convolution modeling of measurable vibration data. The OPAX approach demonstrated high accuracy, with timing errors below 6 ms and amplitude errors under 7.6%. Validation through finite element simulations and laboratory testing confirmed the SRS method’s superiority. A refined FE model (within 2% error of experimental modes up to 2000 Hz) showed SRS-induced strains effectively enveloped measured shock responses. Physical vibration table tests further verified the approach, with strain differences below 10% and peak coverage exceeding 95% of field data. This research establishes SRS as a scientifically robust alternative to the General Spectrum, offering improved energy fidelity (<15% error), accurate shock characterization, and enhanced engineering practicality for Chinese military aircraft validation.