Rugged, Miniature & Mil-Spec Connectors for UAVs, UGVs & Underwater Robots

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TE Connectivity (TE) is a leading provider of light-weight, compact interconnect, communications and power solutions for next-generation unmanned systems, including UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles), UGVs (unmanned ground vehicles), UUVs (unmanned underwater vehicles) and ROVs (remotely operated vehicles).

Our advanced component and system design focuses on reducing size, weight, and power (SWaP) footprints and increasing ruggedness, resulting in enhanced unmanned systems performance in all domains, whether land, sea or air.

Connectors for UAVs, UGVs and UUVs

High Performance Circular Connectors

DEUTSCH 38999 Circular Mil-Spec Connectors

Based on MIL-DTL-38999 Series 3 military circular connector technology, the lightweight DEUTSCH Wildcat 38999 series features almost double the density of regular MIL-DTL-38999 connectors, with four housing sizes available between 11 and 64 contacts.

The fully sealed connectors have rear removable contacts and are available in a variety of plating and material finishes. A rugged triple-start threaded interface provides robust, high-reliability coupling and a high level of shock and vibration resistance.

DEUTSCH Micro Circular Connectors

The DEUTSCH Wildcat Micro Series is a lightweight and highly compact family of circular connectors, available in two housing sizes with four layouts of between 3 and 9 contacts. The robust connectors are available with either a bayonet mechanism or an anti-vibration triple-start threaded configuration.

Built for harsh environments, the rugged connectors feature extreme temperature, vibration and corrosion resistance, as well as reliable fluid resistance and dust ingress prevention.

CeeLok FAS-T Nano Circular Connectors

CeeLok FAS-T connectors provide 10G Ethernet data rates in a small form factor for SWaP-constrained applications, featuring crimp-snap contacts for easy termination and rapid field repairability.

The T-shaped contact pattern provides improved noise cancellation and decoupling for minimized crosstalk and increased signal integrity. The true 100-ohm impedance connectors are compatible with Cat 5e, Cat 6a and Cat 7 cables.

CeeLok FAS-X Circular Connectors

CeeLok FAS-X connectors are designed for reliable high-speed performance in rugged military and aerospace environments, featuring MIL-DTL-32546.1 compliance and zero bit error rate. Superior impedance matching provides enhanced resistance to noisy environments.

They are ideal for Gigabit or 10 Gigabit Ethernet, as well as USB 2.0 and other high-speed protocols. They are available in either single-channel size 11 or quad-channel size 25 arrangements.

Modular PCB Connectors

MULTIGIG RT PCB Backplane Connectors

MULTIGIG RT backplane connectors are designed specifically for 20.30 (.800) or 25.40 (1.00) card pitch systems, featuring a modular design for maximum flexibility and high-speed data transfer rates of up to 25+ Gb/s.

Designed to meet VITA vibration standards, MULTIGIG RT connectors are idea for rugged, mission-critical applications such as data storage and communications systems.

Fortis Zd PCB Backplane Connectors

Fortis Zd is a modular high-speed connector system with multibay shells that accommodate digital signal, power, RF and optical modules. Lightweight aluminium construction and resistance to extreme vibration makes them ideal for drones and other unmanned systems.

Modules are easily mixed and matched, with 3, 4, 8 or 9 bays available as standard and other custom sizes available upon request.

Mezalok PCB Board-to-Board Connectors

The high-reliability surface-mount Mezalok connectors are designed for stacking or mezzanine applications in rugged embedded computing systems, featuring VITA 61 compliance, excellent shock and vibration resistance, and speeds up to 16+ Gb/s.

They incorporate a redundant Mini-Box system with four points of contact, and are available in 60, 114, and 320 positions with stack height options of 10, 12, 15, 17 and 18 mm.

PCB RF Modules

Our backplane RF modules feature a blind-mate connection system with high-channel-to-channel isolation, ideal for high-performance, high-bandwidth applications such as UAV electronic sensing, electronic counter-warfare and processing.

Modules are available with 4 and 8 positions, and are designed to meet the requirements of VITA 67.1 and VITA 67.2.

Power Connectors

Our unmanned power connectors feature 2 and 3 position wire-to-wire and wire-to-board configurations in power only, and 3 positions for mixed signal and power connections. Each power contact can handle up to 80 amps continuous, with 4 amps for signal contacts.

They feature contact locks for vibration resistance, with optional latching and IP67 sealing available.

Nanominiature Connectors

We offer a wide variety of nanominiature connectors in rectangular, D-type coaxial and sealed circular configurations, providing significant space and weight savings for SWaP-critical drones and unmanned vehicles.

The robust connectors feature excellent shock and vibration resistance with wide operational temperature ranges.

Micro D Connectors

Our high-density microminiature D connectors provide significant space and weight savings for SWaP-conscious UAVs and robotics, featuring aluminium shells plated in nickel or cadmium.

They can be supplied prewired or with separate crimp contacts for additional customization options.

Rectangular Connectors

Our rectangular connectors optimize signal integrity in space-limited applications. Available in a range of materials, ratings, and sizes, they are engineered for reliable wire-to-wire and wire-to-board connections and can be supplied with or without locking features.

The 369 series is designed for applications where fewer contacts are needed in each connector and shielding is not required. Suitable for blind mating or low visibility conditions they are fully sealed for use in areas with high levels of moisture.

Rugged COTS IP68 RJ45 & USB Connectors

The POLAMCO series of high-reliability rugged IP68 USB and RJ45 connectors, incorporating a design derived from MIL-STD-38999 series 3, is designed for high-speed data transfer in harsh environments.

They feature high levels of shock, vibration and impact protection, with fully enclosed shells available in aluminium, marine bronze and stainless steel, as well as titanium and composite options for especially weight-limited applications.

Expanded Beam Fiber Optic Connectors

PRO BEAM rugged fiber connectors for expanded beam fiber optic communications are designed to operate in harsh environments, featuring physically non-contacting mating of both single-mode and multimode fibers.

PRO BEAM fiber optic connectors are supplied in three sizes: Senior, Junior, and Mini, with size 16 termini also available.

Underwater & Subsea Connectors

The SEACON series of underwater interconnection solutions is designed for subsea applications such as UUVs, AUVs and ROVs, operating in a wide range of industries including oil & gas, defense and oceanographic research.

The SEACON series offers over 2500 electrical and fiber optic connectors and other products for harsh offshore environments, including subsea electrical wet- and dry-mate connectors, optical hybrid dry-mate connectors, underwater mateable connectors, proximity switches and pressure-proof cable assemblies.

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Cable Assemblies & Harnesses

We provide a wide variety of options for cable assemblies and wiring harnesses for UAVs and unmanned vehicles, ranging from simple jumpers to complex rugged power, high-speed data and mixed cables.

Cables and wiring can be constructed from a broad range of materials to withstand particular environmental hazards while ensuring maximum performance and reliability. Custom solutions can be engineered to your exact specifications to meet strict requirements for weight, environmental sealing, shielding, chemical resistance, extreme temperatures and more.

Relays, Contactors, Sensors & Power Distribution

AC & DC Relays and Contactors

We offer one of the most comprehensive selections of military Qualified Product List (QPL) relays and contactors in the industry, with switching capabilities ranging from signal-level to hundreds of kilowatts.

Our AC and DC relays and contactors include a wide variety of reliable lightweight and compact designs, ideal for the SWaP-constrained requirements of UAVs and unmanned systems.

Sensors – Low SWaP, Rugged Sensors

Our range of high-reliability, high-accuracy sensors for data-driven unmanned systems applications features rugged packaging for harsh environments and have been designed with low SWaP requirements in mind.

Sensors are available for accurate measurement of a wide variety of conditions, with options including wired or wireless high-speed telemetry and integration into value-added assemblies.

Power Distribution Units

Our hardwired power distribution units provide reliable, optimised power networks for unmanned vehicles, with considerable floor space and weight savings compared to discrete installations.

We can provide flexible designs and custom panel assemblies for all levels of network complexity, incorporating a variety of relay, switching and protection components.

HARTMAN Lightweight K Series Contactors

HARTMAN K Series are among the most compact and lightweight contactors available, and are ideal for SWaP-critical drone and unmanned vehicle designs. The contactors feature switching capabilities of up to 1000 amps at 28 VDC.