High-Resistance Optical Cable Takes Flight in Mach2

Optical cable is known for its speed and capacity to handle large volumes of information. However, its use in extreme conditions poses a particular challenge.

Optical cables have the speed and capacity to handle large volumes of information, making fiber optics the media of choice for high-speed data transmission across markets. However, its use in extreme conditions poses a particular design challenge. Harsh environments challenge equipment with temperature, shocks, and vibrations that require technical adaptation to preserve signal integrity. Aerospace is among the most rigorous environments for electronics, with its exposure to high and low temperature extremes, hazardous weather conditions, constant vibrations, and intermittent shock and impact, such as during turbulence and landing.

Engineering every electronic and mechanical system in aircraft requires the highest attention to performance and reliability. Designers of electronic systems for aeronautics must specify ruggedized components that meet strict international standards for quality and resilience. While all aircraft experience environmental challenges, some specific craft or onboard equipment may require even more ruggedization. Mach2 commercial and military aircraft are capable of reaching speeds twice the speed of sound, approximately 1,520 miles per hour (2,450 kilometers per hour) at sea level. These exceptional aircraft are typically designed for high-speed interception, air superiority, and multirole missions. Mach 2 aircraft include the Concorde passenger jet and military fighter aircraft such as the Lockheed SR-71 Blackbird, McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle, Grumman F-14 Tomcat, and others.

These extreme aircraft feature advanced aerodynamic designs, such as swept wings or delta wings, to handle the stresses of supersonic flight. They are powered by advanced jet engines that provide the necessary thrust for supersonic speeds. Mach 2 fighters are typically equipped with a range of sophisticated weapon systems, including air-to-air and air-to-ground missiles and cannons, allowing for multirole combat capabilities. Additionally, these aircraft are fitted with state-of-the-art avionics, radar systems, and electronic warfare capabilities to effectively detect, track, and engage enemy aircraft and ground targets. Many nations are developing Mach2 aircraft for military purposes, although issues such as fuel consumption, sonic booms, and economic viability create ongoing challenges for designers.

Nicomatic creates custom solutions with a range of FFC cable options that include features such as conductive copper laminated between two layers of polyester, thermic adhesive to increase life, and gold, shielded, and impendance control.

Optical harnesses for cutting-edge fighter jet radars

A manufacturer of radar systems for next-generation Mach2 fighter jets approached Nicomatic with a request for highly resilient optical cable harness designs for its equipment. Nicomatic specializes in manufacturing high-quality optical harnesses designed to withstand the most challenging conditions, ensuring reliability and performance in the most critical applications. The company provides interconnect solutions for safer and more efficient aviation technology, catering to a variety of critical applications. The company’s solutions are integral to in-flight entertainment and connectivity (IFEC), cockpits, radars, monitoring systems, control systems, panels and displays, and engine control systems (FADEC), as well as flight actuators, braking and landing systems, power transmission systems, APUs, and cabin interiors and seats, ensuring comprehensive enhancements across the entire aircraft. These harnesses can be equipped with Nicomatic connectors or components from other manufacturers, allowing total flexibility to meet the specific requirements of each client.

The complexity of this request began with the need to identify several challenges in order to develop the correct solution. From the outset, it was crucial to design a robust technical solution adapted to the extreme environments typically experienced by these rugged applications, which exceed those found in typical commercial and military aircraft. The customer needed a very specific solution that would serve the overall performance attributes and operating conditions impacting the operation of the whole aircraft as well as the zone-specific conditions this sub-system would encounter.

Nicomatic is skilled at designing bespoke solutions for unique customer scenarios and has the ability to respond quickly to new information and directions. In this case, the company was able to deliver solutions in record time, three times faster than the market average, while paying close attention to the client’s specific design requirements. Ultimately, the optical harness that Nicomatic developed for this customer exceeds every requirement to provide rugged and dependable performance for the radar system it serves.

To learn more about high-performance interconnect solutions, visit Nicomatic online.

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