What the tactical HMA cable is
Military and emergency teams need cables they can deploy fast and trust in dirt, rain and vibration. These tactical fibre optic cable assemblies are high-speed, rugged and light, and they come with deployment and retrieval reels so a link can be rolled out and packed away quickly.
They use expanded beam connectors. Physical contact tactical connectors, such as MIL-DTL-38999 fibre inserts or TFOCA-II, rely on fibre end faces touching, so dust and misalignment are a concern. Expanded beam connectors pass the light through lenses across a small gap, so they are far less sensitive. The expanded beam connectors guide explains the difference.
Expanded beam advantages
- Hermaphroditic (genderless) design: any end mates with any other.
- Easy to clean and align in the field.
- Non-contact optical interface.
- Vibration resistant.
- Hybrid fibre assemblies available.
Cable features
- Multimode tactical assemblies built to survive drops and drags.
- Strong yet flexible, easy to roll out and pack.
- Polyurethane jacket resistant to sun, rain and chemicals.
- Waterproof and fire-resistant.
- Quick repair options in the field.
- Any length and style to order, with standard or expanded beam connectors.
What to specify in your quote
- Length and reel type.
- Fibre type and channel count, and whether you need a hybrid assembly.
- Connector type: expanded beam or standard.
- Whether the link mates with existing equipment, and its connector part numbers.
- The insertion loss to allow per mated pair in your link design.
See the tactical fibre optic cable guide, then send your requirement through the request a quote form.
Questions buyers ask
Can these tactical assemblies handle extreme weather?
Yes. They are built for heat, cold, rain and dust, with a polyurethane jacket that resists sun, rain and chemicals.
Can I get custom lengths?
Yes. Assemblies are made short, long or anything in between, and other fibre cable types can be built to order.
Can you supply connectors too?
Yes. Assemblies are available with standard or expanded beam connectors, and Radix supplies a range of fibre optic connectors separately.
Can a damaged cable be repaired in the field?
The assemblies are designed with quick repair options for field use. Tell us how your teams handle repairs so the cable and connectors can be chosen to suit.
Why use expanded beam connectors on tactical cable?
They tolerate dust, dirt and minor misalignment far better than physical contact connectors, and they are easy to clean in the field.