Product category:
Plugs and Sockets
News Release from: Deutsch | Subject: MIL-DTL-83538 connectors
Edited by the Electronicstalk Editorial
Team on 19 October 2005
Missile connectors meet military
standards
Deutsch designs connectors in accordance with the recently revised MIL-DTL-83538/C standard.
Historically, aircraft munitions and missiles systems were created independently, according to the needs of national governments and manufacturers Different interconnect systems were used on the aircraft and missiles making it virtually impossible to utilise alternative systems and munitions
This article was originally published on Electronicstalk on 4 Jul 2001 at 8.00am (UK)
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This ultimately led to a proliferation of unique stand-alone systems, supported by different logistic management systems.
Joint national actions and a growing demand for more sophisticated avionics and control systems, soon exposed the need for much greater compatibility, particular in the interchangeability of missile systems.
In response to this, the MIL-STD-1760 interface standard for aircraft/store electrical interconnection systems, was created to enable interoperability of stores between different aircraft types.
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Using this one standard the data transmission could be rationalised to minimise the impact on future stores management systems.
At the heart of the standard is the interconnect configuration for the launch systems, either drop or rail launch.
Getting this adopted by specifiers, manufacturers and users internationally was no small challenge.
Deutsch, a leading interconnection solution provider, has been instrumental in supporting this initiative throughout the lengthy development period, supporting the adoption of the interconnect standard MIL-DTL-83538 by participating in DSCC (Defence Supply Centre Columbus) meetings and assisting in the design and testing of the interconnection components.
The most challenging aspect of the design for Deutsch's engineering team concerned the umbilical connector, which has to function in the harshest of environments with a high level of repetition.
In such conditions vibration specifications, including preventing misalignment of the mounting, are difficult to achieve.
The umbilical consists of three essential parts: the launch receptacle (83538/4), which is held within the release mechanism in the aircraft; the buffer plug (83538/3), which acts as the buffer between the aircraft and missile and is lost at launch; and the stores connector (83538/1), which is located within the missile design.
All Deutsch's connectors are designed in accordance with the recently revised MIL-DTL-83538/C standard.
Deutsch's support of the initiative is ongoing.
As technology advances, missile systems continue to be developed at a faster pace than replacement aircraft platforms.
Customer feedback and design team testing soon highlighted the need for a "reverse" system that would enable newer missile systems to be attached to older aircraft types.
Deutsch is currently undertaking extensive field-testing of a "reverse buffer" to meet this need.
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