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

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.
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Fiber Optics and Photonics for Aerospace ApplicationsHarsh-Environment Fiber Optic Connectors and Cable AssembliesPlus Ruggedized Aerospace-Grade Photonics |
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Rugged Fiber Optics and PhotonicsRugged fiber optic systems carrying digitized video, voice and data are broadly deployed in harsh environments including specialized applications in aircraft avionics, ground systems, initiators, weapon systems, sensors, space, and other high-performance environments. Highly-engineered fiber optic termini, together with their precision-machined and/or injection molded connector packaging, are the key to delivering low data-loss and reliable, repeatable performance in rugged, harsh-applications such as space.
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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
- Fiber Optics and Photonics for Aerospace Applications / Glenair Signature Series
- Fiber Optic Connectors, Termini, and Cables
Application Examples
Related Glenair Content
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Fiber Optic Connectors, Termini, and CablesFor 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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Series 806 Mil-Aero Fiber Optic DatalinksReduced size and weight • MIL-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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Glenair High Density (GHD) Fiber OpticsHigh-density connector and size #18 termini alternative to MIL-DTL-38999 |
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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 ConnectorsSeries 183-001
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MT Fiber Optic Connectors / Series 79Miniature single-ferrule high-density MT rectangular connector solutionSeries 183-003 |
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Eye-Beam® GMA Expanded Beam Fiber Optic Connectors and CablesEasy to clean, rugged solution IAW MIL-DTL-83526/20 AND /21 • HMA Type Intermateable Ball LensSeries 185-002 |
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Eye-Beam® GLT Expanded Beam Fiber Optic Connection SystemInnovative GRIN Lens Termini • Easy connector integration |
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Optoelectronic Interconnect Solutions for Aerospace and Other Harsh EnvironmentsHarsh-Environment Photonic and Fiber Optic Technologies — leveraging MIL-DTL-38999 (M29504), Series 80 Mighty Mouse, GFOCA, ARINC 801, MIL-PRF-28876, MT and other high-performance connector technologies — for Ethernet, Digital Video, High-Speed Data, and Signal Aggregation |
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ARINC 801 Fiber Optic Connectors and TerminiFor High-Speed Mil-Aero Fiber-Optic Data NetworkingSeries 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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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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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 |