GORE® Umbilical Assemblies are proven on many of today’s airborne platforms including A10 Warthog, F-16, Eurofighter, Harrier GR.9, and Tornado GR4 to name but a few. Introduced to NATO in the mid 1990's, Gore identified a need to provide the market with a reliable, easy-to-use umbilical assembly that did not fail when used.
This video, provided by Lockheed Martin, demonstrates the jam-free store release offered by GORE® umbilical assemblies.
Specified for use on many of today’s platforms, Gore’s products for Airborne and Space Flight applications play a vital role in system performance providing significant reductions in overall program risk. For nearly 40 years Gore has been supplying products to the defense and space flight industries. Gore’s ability to provide solutions for complex packaging and routing constraints has resulted in a number of high performance products being selected for the Joint Strike Fighter, F-35 Lightning II, program.
Gore manufactures hybrid round-cable assemblies to meet the international requirements of MIL-STD-1760 Aircraft/Store Electrical Interconnection System.
The standard provides a common electrical interface for the operation and employment of stores on aircraft and defines a complex arrangement of interfacing signals.
This interface standard defines a signal set containing power supplies, MIL-STD-1553B data buses, high and low bandwidth lines, and safety-critical discretes, and makes provision for the use of fiber-optic interfaces. The physical location and connector type/orientation is also standardized to foster interoperability of stores between different platforms. Connector options include MIL-DTL-38999/31 and FRCS.
Class I, Class II, or custom versions can be manufactured to meet any aircraft-integration requirements.
Gore's cable assembly uses highly flexible materials, specifically designed to be accommodated within the limited space of aircraft pylons.
GORE® Cables have undergone the following tests:
|
Production tests |
|
|---|---|
| Continuity |
MIL-STD-202F, Method 303 |
| Insulation resistance/dielectric strength |
MIL-STD-202F, Method 302 and 301 |
| Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) |
IEC 96-1, Amendment 2 |
|
Thermal and dynamic tests |
|
|---|---|
| Rain and slush |
MIL-STD-810B, Method 506 |
| Icing |
BS 3G 100 Part 2, Section 3, Sub-section 3.9, Test C |
| Vibration |
MIL-STD-810B, Method 514.1, Figure 514.1-2, Curve D |
| Gunfire vibration |
MIL-STD-810D, Method 519.3 |
| Acoustic noise |
MIL-STD-810D, Method 515.3, Section II, Category C |
| Mechanical shock |
MIL-STD-810B, Method 516.1, Figure 516.1-1 |
| Temperature shock |
Based on MIL-STD-810B, Method 503 |
| Temperature cycling |
Based on MIL-STD-810B, Method 501, Procedure II and 502 |
| Explosive atmosphere |
Pan SP-P-90033, Paragraph 6.10.2, Issue 7 |
| Humidity |
MIL-STD-810B, Method 507, Procedure II |
| Solar radiation |
MIL-STD-810B, Method 505 |
| Flammability |
UL 1581 |
| Resistance to abrasion by scraping |
SP-P-99301-00P |
|
Chemical tests |
|
|---|---|
| Fungus |
MIL-STD-810B, Method 508 |
| Salt fog |
MIL-STD-810B, Method 509 |
| Contamination |
Based on DEFENSE STANDARD 00-35, Part 3/3, |
| Sand and dust |
Based on MIL-STD-810B, Method 510 and Method 510.2 Procedure II |
GORE® MIL-STD-1760 cables have undergone an installation simulation, 1,000 cycle flex test at a rate of 15 cycles/minute (500 cycles in the X-axis followed by 500 cycles in the Y-axis). The term cycle refers to bending the harness directly at the rear of the connector from zero to +90 degrees, back through zero to -90 degrees, and returning to zero, and is performed on both ends of the harness at temperatures from -20°C to +60°C. The test is based on MIL-STD-810B, Method 501, Procedure II and 502 to prove that the assembly can withstand repeated flexing without mechanical or electrical failure. Additional testing to establish cable limitations achieved a proven flex-life in excess of 100,000 flexes.
GORE® MIL-STD-1760 cables can be attached to and removed from the ASI and MSI while operating in an NBC environment, in accordance with MIL-STD-1472, Paragraph 4.10. The technology enables fast and easy connector system replacement while maintaining proven product performance in excess of 100,000 flexes.
For more information about GORE® Umbilical Assemblies Contact Us.