Cable and connector assemblies for drones must deliver low weight, high reliability, and serve UAV platforms in both military and commercial markets. The unmanned aerial vehicle market has grown faster than the components designed to support it. For years, UAV designers reaching for high-reliability interconnects had to choose from products originally developed for conventional mannedRead More
Overmolded cable assemblies help ensure the integrity of mission-critical signal transmission in navigation, data, power, communication, and control systems. Learn how to specify this essential element of primary and secondary flight control designs. Article contributed by Robert Grzib Signal integrity, which measures the quality of an electrical signal, is inarguably the most critical factor toRead More
This new standard defines compact, rugged, modular, open systems architecture for high performance embedded computing that supports RF, video, and optical signal applications. In February 2026, VITA 90 VNX+ ratification marked the culmination of nearly a decade of work since the transition from VITA 74 began. The VITA 90 family of standards defines compact, rugged,Read More
Meet the Connector: VME64x Connectors VME64x is a standard for VMEbus ruggedized, high-performance embedded systems in defense, aerospace, industrial control, and medical imaging. A superset to the VME64 standard, VME64x (VME64 Extensions) was adopted by the VITA Standards Organization in 1997. VME64x added many new capabilities, including: a new 160 pin connector family a 95Read More
The buildout of AI infrastructure and expanding electrification are increasing demand for base metals. Now, unprecedented price increases in the gold, silver, and copper markets are putting pressure on connector manufacturers in a direct challenge to cost structures, pricing strategies, and supply chain resilience. Connector and cable manufacturers are navigating a challenging raw materials environmentRead More
From autonomous drones to robotic ground vehicles, AI is increasingly embedded in modern defense systems. While the adoption of AI offers strategic advantages, it also introduces risks, ethical debates, and operational challenges. Article contributed by PEI-Genesis The integration of AI into defense systems is a global trend. At the 2025 Global Summit on responsible AIRead More
Meet the Connector: Mil-C-24217 Connectors MIL-C-24217 is the U.S. military specification for rugged, metal-shell electrical connectors. Designed for deep submergence submarine applications. MIL-C-24217 is the U.S. military specification for rugged, metal-shell electrical connectors designed for U.S. Navy deep submergence submarine applications. They are made to withstand hydrostatic pressures up to 10,000 psi and are usedRead More
The smallest satellites fit in the palm of your hand. Larger installations are critical to telecom, datacom, surveillance, and electronic warfare systems. Regardless of size, satellites must be built to withstand the harsh low temperatures of space, the heat and g-forces of launch, radiation and vacuum conditions, and protect the precise instruments inside to deliverRead More
For decades, the subminiature push-on connector has been a mainstay of RF applications. However, in complex architectures, the SMP interface had challenges in blind mating situations. A solderless coax connector presents an alternative. Article Contributed by Smiths Interconnect The landscape of high-speed radio frequency (RF) interconnects is continuously evolving, driven by the need for enhancedRead More
In 2025, the global connector industry experienced the strongest year-over-year growth since the industry made its strong comeback the year following the COVID shutdown. Bishop & Associates shares insights on the year that was and the year ahead. Bishop & Associates has just released the updated version of their Connector Industry Forecast. This eight-chapter reportRead More
Meet the Connector: MT Ferrules MT ferrules are key fiber optic components in the system architecture required for today’s higher data rate, high-density, high-precision applications. An MT (mechanical transfer) ferrule is a high-precision, rectangular, ferrule designed to align multiple optical fibers simultaneously. It typically accommodates 12, 24, or more fibers within a single compact interface. The critical elements forRead More
The versatile new small form factor mezzanine standard greatly expands performance and innovation in next generation carriers. ANSI and VITA ratified the ANSI/VITA 93.0-2025 QMC standard defining a small form factor mezzanine offering increased density compared to existing XMC and FMC form factors. This has opened the door to some exciting developments in the worldRead More
