In critical mil/aero applications, a connector’s dependability begins where the pins and sockets meet: the contact system. By Robert Kleinschmidt, Senior Vice President, Air & Defense Business Unit, AirBorn, Inc. Many electronic systems in the military, defense, and aeronautics industries are designed to excel in some of the harshest environments imaginable. Deep-sea systems must endureRead More
US-based aircraft have a new equipment mandate to improve surveillance and communications. The deadline is fast approaching, but operators have numerous options to get compliant. New ADS-B Standards Nearly a decade ago, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) set in place a timeline to transition from radar to next-generation, surveillance-based Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) to manage theRead More
As sensors increasingly work in tandem with connectors in IoT applications, some companies are expanding their expertise to encompass both of these elements. Much like human eyes and ears, electronic sensors detect, measure, and report data on physical properties that enable electronic systems to react. Sensors of all types are proliferating as they become theRead More
As drones take a larger role in military operations, the pressure is on to reduce size and weight. A new generation of SWaP-optimized connector products will help. By Ann R. Thryft Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are getting smaller and more powerful as the overall miniaturization trend expands across the broad range of military equipment. AlsoRead More
High-performance interconnects that transmit power, data, and signal in military-grade radios, tablets, GPS systems, and headsets are helping military personnel fulfill their duties and get home safely. By Amy Goetzman We’re hearing the term “future soldier” a lot lately. If that sounds like a fancy name for robot, you wouldn’t be entirely off-base; tens ofRead More
Hyperboloid contacts improve contact density, mating force, functionality, and cycle-life in high-density rectangular connectors designed for mil/aero applications. Robert Lascelles, Product Manager – integraMate®, QA Technology Company, Inc. Rectangular Connectors In mil/aero applications, high-line-count rectangular connectors are often used as the interface between PCBs, between internal subassemblies, at input-output bulkheads, and between the equipment andRead More
Supremely durable space-grade connectors help us explore the next frontier. By Caroline Hayes Today, thousands of commercial satellites circle the globe to enable the telecommunications needed to implement the Internet of Things. They are also used for navigation systems and research projects, like the European Space Agency’s Galileo global navigation satellite system (GNSS) and Copernicus,Read More
Many manufacturers offer solutions for challenging mil/aero environments with harsh conditions and strict requirements. By Rob Toenies, Product Manager, Newark element14 Connectivity is the lifeblood of today’s technology-driven world. This multifaceted term has many dimensions, referencing technology extending from the internet and data networks to home appliances and devices of all sizes. In the military/aerospaceRead More
Molex examines the benefits of integrated fiber optics vs. copper cable assemblies in mission-critical systems. Thomas Heller, Account Manager, Aerospace and Defense, Molex The world’s most complex technologies are deployed in critical mission command, control, communications, computer, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. Military and civil aerospace markets cover a spectrum of high-bandwidth fiber optic applications rangingRead More
When connector performance is ideally matched to application requirements, modern military and commercial aerospace connectors can break barriers to enhanced performance in critical systems John Whittaker, Product Development Manager, Amphenol Pcd In today’s military and commercial aerospace world, engineers are challenged to incorporate more functionality in less space without increasing weight or sacrificing performance, payload, or range. Whether it’s increasingRead More
As the aircraft market shifts towards smaller planes, advanced cockpit and infotainment features call for connectors that can fly high. The commercial aircraft industry has had a couple of slow years, but growth is expected to return with a shift. Now, smaller aircraft are leading the market. This evolution should herald solid growth for connectorRead More
Connectors for portable military and high-density ranging and detection systems are set to influence the broader connector market as they lead the way for high speeds, small sizes, and light weights. By Bob Stanton, Director of Technology, Omnetics Connector Corporation LIDAR, which stands for light detection and ranging, is a remote sensing technology that usesRead More
