In the news, President Obama is currently deliberating with aides to determine the best course of military action in the war on terror in Afghanistan is response to a request for additional forces from the top commander there. In any military endeavor, electronics is vital part of the mission. Specifically, having dependable communication between units could mean the difference between a successful operation and a military catastrophe. Modern-day foot soldiers are now “walking computers” equipped with night vision goggles, GPS receivers, computers and radios are becoming commonplace. The interconnecting military cables must be lightweight and strong, but still contain all of the circuit conductors required by their mission.
The cables can be snagged on environmental hazards such as bushes or protrusions from vehicles. Increased strength demand means that the addition of strength members, such as Kevlar or PPO fibers, which are now the norm. Robotics cables inside tanks and heavy machinery must be able to withstand the rigors of drill after drill, and actual combat application during times of war. Satellite cables need to have lightweight shields while still maintaining the same or higher shield effectiveness. Aracon, which is nickel- or silver-plated Kevlar, can assist in these applications. As a plated fiber that will spread across the cable core,it can easily give greater shield coverage than can be obtained with flat or round copper wires.
Ground support equipment, while relying more and more on radio communications, still has the need for robust military wires between communication huts.
Fiber optics can pass large amounts of data, but there is still the need for power to the equipment. Composite cables can do both. The need for high tensile-strength members to keep the composite custom cables from pulling apart as well as crush-resistant materials to protect the fibers calls for tougher materials.
The design process starts with a source control drawing (SCD), as most harsh environment cables do not conform to the old MIL-spec system. Many cable designs use the material and physical properties and testing requirements from existing MIL-specs as a starting point and then delineate the additional requirements on the SCD. Contact your custom cable specialists to learn more.








