Military Fiber Optics: Rugged, High-Bandwidth Military Defense and Aerospace-Grade Fiber Optic Connectors, Termini, Toolkits and Cable Assemblies for Harsh Application Environments
Series 18Series 180

Military QPL and MCOTS Fiber optic interconnect technologies (MIL-DTL-38999 Type, MIL-DTL-83526 GFOCA Type, MIL-PRF-28876, ARINC 801 and more) deliver high data rate and high bandwidth performance in harsh land, sea, air, space and C4ISR applications. Precision-engineered QPL and commercial fiber optic contacts, or termini (M29504/04, M29504/05, M29504/14, M29504/15, M29504/16, M29504/18, and others) are the key to delivering low data loss and reliable, repeatable performance over long distances in mission-critical applications. But the advantages of a connection system that can transmit the equivalent of 24,000 telephone calls simultaneously through fibers thinner than a human hair — and over longer distances than would ever be possible with copper media — go beyond their mind-boggling data transmission rate.
Fiber Optics for Aerospace Applications
Harsh-Environment Fiber Optic Connectors and Cable Assemblies

Fiber Optic Termini Selection Guide
Interactive matrix of Glenair fiber optic termini, including mil-qualified M29504 part numbers as well as Glenair Signature high-density, GRIN-lens, jewel, expanded beam, and MT solutions. Complete technical specifications organized by optical performance and mechanical properties, plus direct links to all Glenair manufactured Fiber Optic Termini order information.
Build-to-Print Military / Aerospace-Grade Fiber Optic Cable Harness Designer's Guide
In addition to our wide range of catalog (ASAP) Fiber Optic Cable Assemblies, Glenair offers turnkey, build-to-print fiber optic harnesses for both premise and environmental applications as well as fiber optic cable assemblies housed on deployable reels, integrated fiber optic junction-box assemblies and other tactical field and aerospace grade fiber optic solutions.
On-Line Designer's Guide and Factory Hot-Lines
Slideshow Presentation
Application Examples
Related Glenair Content
Fiber Optic Connectors, Termini, and Cables
For Military / Defense and other Harsh Environment Applications
Complete Dimensional Details and How-To-Order Information for All Glenair Fiber Optic Datalink Technologies
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Turnkey Fiber Optic Cables for Inside-the-Box and Environmental Applications |
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Integrated, Turnkey Optical Flex Circuit Assemblies with High-Density MT Ferrule Terminations and Glenair Signature or M29504 F/O Breakouts |
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Series 806 Mil-Aero Fiber Optic DatalinksReduced size and weightMIL-DTL-38999 performance |
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MIL-DTL-38999 Type Fiber Optic Connectors, Termini and CablesD38999 Aerospace-Grade Fiber Optic Connectors and M29504/04 and M29504/05 Termini |
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MIL-PRF-28876 Shipboard Fiber Optic Connection SystemThe Standard US Navy Fiber Optic Connector / Termini Solution, QPL and Commercial Equivalents, M29504/14 (Pin) and /15 (Socket) Termini |
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Glenair High Density (GHD) Fiber OpticsHigh-Density Connector and Size #18 Termini Alternative to Larger Form-Factor MIL-DTL-38999 Fiber Optics |
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Series 80 Mighty Mouse Fiber OpticsReduce Size and Weight with Series 80 Mighty Mouse Fiber Optic Connectors, Termini, and Cables |
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SuperNine® MT Fiber Optic ConnectorsRuggedized, High-Density MT Ferrule Fiber Optics in Aerospace-Grade MIL-DTL-38999 Connectors Series 183-002
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Series 79 MT Ferrule Fiber Optic Connection SystemMiniature Single-Ferrule High-Density MT Rectangular Connector Solution |
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VITA 66.1 Style MT Ferrule Rugged Optical Backplane ConnectorsThe VITA 66 interconnect series introduces fiber optic connectivity to VPX ruggedized embedded computing systems. Glenair's VITA 66.1 and 66.4 compliant blind-mate, optical MT module/backplane connectors use the open architecture defined in VITA 46. These products are both compatible with VPX systems and available as standalone connector solutions for reliable, high-speed transmission in extreme commercial and military environments. |
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Eye-Beam® GMA Expanded Beam Fiber Optic Connectors and CablesExpanded-Beam Fiber Optic Assemblies IAW MIL-DTL-83526/20 AND /21 HMA Type Intermateable Series 185-002 |
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Eye-Beam® GLT Expanded Beam Fiber Optic Connection SystemInnovative GRIN Lens TerminiEasy connector integration |
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ARINC 801 Fiber Optic Connectors and TerminiFor High-Speed Mil-Aero Fiber-Optic Data Networking Series 180-159 |
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Glenair Front Release (GFR) Fiber OpticsInnovative Drop-in Termini Solution for Individual Connector Cavity Fiber Optic Media |
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Next Generation (NGCON) Fiber OpticsEmerging Industry Standard for a New Mil-Aero / Shipboard Fiber Optic Solution |
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MIL-DTL-83526 Type GFOCA Ruggedized Field Fiber OpticsRuggedized Hermaphroditic Land Warfare Fiber Optic Solution |
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Fiber Optic Cables and ConduitHigh-Performance Singlemode and Multimode Fiber Optic Cable and Media Protection Conduit |
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Fiber Optic Termination, Inspection, and Troubleshooting Tools and KitsIndustry-Standard and Glenair Installation and Maintenance Tooling for MIL-DTL-38999 Type Systems (MIL-PRF-29504 /4 and /5), Glenair Front Release (GFR), and Others |
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Fiber Optic OperationIntroduction to Fiber Optic Interconnect Technology and Packaging |
Video (no audio) | YouTube | Download |
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Step 1 - Fiber Optic Cable Preparation | ||
Step 2 - Fiber Optic Terminus Assembly | ||
Step 3 - Fiber Optic Terminus Polishing | ||
Step 4 - Fiber Optic Harness Testing | ||
Step 5 - Fiber Optic Contact Insertion and Removal | ||
Step 6 - Fiber Optic Terminus Cleaning and Testing |