Mil-Spec Aircraft Cables: How To Choose?
Mil-spec aerospace cables operate in tight spaces and extreme temperatures. Many mil-spec wires are suitable for military aircraft, but there are several criteria that you should keep in mind when selecting an army aviation cable. To find out more, read this blog.
Where Are Military Aircraft Cables Used?
Mil-spec aviation cables are used in all types of military aircraft.
This include:
- Drones
- Fighter aircraft, fighter jets
- Military helicopters (Combat Search and Rescue, Utility, Cargo, Attack, Transport)
- Trainer aircraft used in training pilots and aircrew
- Missiles (Air-to-Air, Surface-to-Air, Surface-To-Surface, Anti Submarine, etc.)
- Military Satellites
How Are Mil-Spec Aviation Cables Used?
Aerospace cables are used in military aircraft for various purposes, with communication being a primary goal.
They are used for:
- Transmission Of Signals
- Video and Audio Communication
- Vehicle Navigation
- On-Flight Instrumentation
- Broadband Internet Transmission
Requirements For Aircraft Cables In Military
Just like all mil-spec cables, aircraft wires are supposed to be used in harsh conditions. However, additional aircraft cables' requirements might differ from other military wires.
- High Temperature Range
Aerospace cables may be expected to perform in a variety of temperatures. The expected temperature range may be up to 300 °C, with 125 °C to 200 °C being common. Therefore, aerospace cables are, by definition, high-temperature cables.
- Weight
Many aerospace applications call for lightweight cables because the space within the aircraft might be too tight, and there might be a need to carry less weight on board the plane. However, this is not equally true for all aircraft and might vary from application to application.
- Flexing Qualities
Some aerospace cables might need to be flexing because they are expected to be constantly moving.
- Resistance to Air Pressure and Vibration
Aircraft cables are expected to be resistant to specific conditions of aircraft operation, including air pressure and vibration.
- Passenger Safety Standards
Mil-spec aviation cables that carry passengers are expected to have low-smoke zero halogen LSZH jackets to protect passengers in a fire. This requirement is prominent for aircraft such as combat search and rescue planes. However, the standard can be applied to any cable.
Additional Standards Military Aerospace Cables Are Expected To Follow
Aircraft cables for the military do not solely rely on military specs; they also have to adhere to other industry-specific standards. These are NEMA, SAE, and IEEE.
Common Mil-Spec Aircraft Cables
M22759 Cable is designed for military aircraft but is suitable for commercial aircraft. These cables have ETFE and XL-ETFE insulations explicitly designed for the demanding conditions of aerospace. It is resistant to cleaning fluids, fuels, oils, and industrial chemicals.
M81044 Wire is used for specific aerospace applications, such as airframe and avionics. Airframe refers to the power and instrumentation of an airplane, while avionics has to do with the electronic systems used on the aircraft. The cable has extruded cross-linked polyalkene insulation and a PVDF jacket.
M16878 Cable is suitable for internal wiring of appliances on the board of the plane, even though it is more of a general purpose military cable rather than an aerospace one.
All of these cables are available for purchase at excellent prices at Nassaunational cable.com.
