GORE® Ethernet Cables for Defense Aircraft
Proven to solve complex routing challenges, our Ethernet cables provide superior protection and performance in small, lightweight and flexible designs. We offer several cable constructions that meet Cat5e/6 and even exceed Cat6a high-speed data protocol requirements on airborne digital networks.
Contact Us
+1 800 626 7708
Germany
+49 9144 6010
+49 9144 6816 (fax)
UK
+44 1382 56 1511
+44 1382 56 1007 (fax)
Italy
+39 045 6209 209
+39 045 6209 165 (fax)
France
+33 1 5695 6565
+33 1 5695 6401 (fax)
Spain
+34 93 480 6900
+34 93 373 7850 (fax)
Sweden
+46 31 7067800
+46 31 864226 (fax)
China (Beijing)
+86 10 5707 4999
+86 10 5707 4900 (fax)
China (Shanghai)
+86 21 5172 8299
+86 21 6247 9199 (fax)
China (Shenzhen)
+86 755 8359 8262
+86 755 8359 1654 (fax)
South Korea
+82 2 393 3411
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Japan
+81 3 6746 2582
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Overview
As the defense sector continues to require faster digital networks in avionics, cables need to transmit data reliably at much higher rates. At the same time, the aerospace industry is moving away from proprietary networks to open-source architectures and standardized protocols, like Ethernet.
GORE Ethernet Cables meet the increasing data demands of modern airborne digital networks. We manufacture a selection of cables in several configurations and performance lengths that support standard Ethernet protocols to meet your specific application needs and requirements. You can be confident that our high-density cables will deliver high data rate transmission without failing in demanding aircraft environments for mission success.
Easier Installation with Routable Designs
Our Ethernet cables can significantly reduce size and weight without compromising durability or signal integrity. The smaller cable diameters also allow for greater flexibility and a tighter bend radius. All of this means that our Ethernet cables can be easily installed or retrofitted in new and existing aircraft structures without breaking or failing for less maintenance, downtime and overall costs. You can also reduce additional signal amplification in your system architecture because of the superior electrical performance of our cables, decreasing weight and power requirements even more.
Benefits
GORE Ethernet Cables provide aircraft system architects and engineers with many benefits that improve electrical and mechanical performance such as:
- excellent signal integrity with stable performance after installation and over time
- meet and exceed standardized high-speed data protocol requirements
- highly robust constructions tolerate harsh aircraft conditions
- smaller, lighter weight designs with greater flexibility, tighter bend radius
- less need for additional signal amplification further reduces weight/power requirements
- compatible with variety of high-speed aerospace connector systems/backshells
- selected pre-qualified samples with short lead times for prototyping and evaluation
- low technical risk based on validated product performance in real-world conditions
For more information about the benefits of our cables, please contact a Gore representative.
4 Pairs (Cat5e/6/6a)
Our award-winning Ethernet Cat6a version exceeds stringent electrical requirements and delivers excellent signal integrity with sufficient margin for high-speed data transmission up to 10 Gb at lengths up to 80 m (262 ft). This version is approved to SAE AS6070™ standards that support AS50881 EWIS (electrical wiring interconnection systems) specifications and on the Qualified Products List (QPL). Our Cat6a version is also qualified according to C21091 specifications and has been selected for aircraft program upgrades, like the F-16 and more.
Quadrax (Cat5e)
When you don’t want to use a standard 4-pair design in your system architecture, our star quadrax design is a perfect alternative to meet Ethernet Cat5e protocol requirements. These dual differential pairs transmit continuous bi-directional, high-speed signals up to 100 MHz at lengths up to 70 m (230 ft) using size 24 AWG and 50 m (164 ft) using size 26 AWG. They’re also proven to be a reliable substitute to dual twisted pair cables for meeting high data rate needs.
2 Pairs (Cat5e)
For Ethernet Cat5e protocol, our 2-pair cable is an ideal solution if you don’t want to use a 4-pair or quadrax design in your system architecture. This version preserves signal integrity, significantly exceeds crosstalk requirements, and reliably carries high-speed data up to 1 GHz. You can also position 2 of our cables side by side to achieve Ethernet 1000BASE-T performance.
Cable Routing Simulators
Gore has been a long-time supporter of testing our products extensively to show how reliably they perform in real-world conditions before launching them to market. So, we designed a cable routing simulator to evaluate the effects of severe bending on high-speed data cables while being routed through an airframe.
Testing characteristics such as return loss and crosstalk after routing through the simulator verifies whether a cable can withstand complex installation challenges that can degrade signal integrity and lead to failures over time. Now, manufacturers can be sure they’re getting a robust Ethernet cable that delivers superior performance over the life of the aircraft — ultimately reducing maintenance, downtime, and total costs.
For more information about our cable routing simulator and the effects of installation on Ethernet Interconnects, download the white paper.
We also designed an aviation display that mimics an airframe bulkhead to demonstrate the challenges engineers face when designing an Ethernet system. We connected our cables to common avionic components, like cockpit displays, mission computers and aircraft survivability equipment. Our Ethernet cables were also terminated with leading aerospace connector systems that support standard protocols.
Our demonstration shows how easy it is to bend, flex and route our cables through existing bulkheads with tight spaces.
Watch Gore engineers in these videos and more on YouTube demonstrating the durability of GORE Aerospace High Speed Data Cables.
Resources

Installing the Right Ethernet Interconnect to Ensure Reliable Performance in Aircraft
White Papers, 6.26 MB

Catalog: GORE® Aerospace High Speed Data Cables
Data Sheets, 6.16 MB
View all resources for GORE Ethernet Cables for Defense Aircraft
Recent News
Press Release
Gore Jolts Emerging Electric Aviation Market with New High-Performance Aerospace Wires
Posted October 13, 2020
W. L. Gore & Associates announced today a new solution that meets higher voltages as the trend continues towards aircraft electrification to reduce the impact of air transport on our environment. GORE® High Performance Aerospace Wires, GWN3000 Series, deliver the best combination of superior mechanical strength and outstanding electrical reliability without increasing wire bundle size or weight.
Press Release
GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies Honored, Set Gold Standard with Industry Innovators Award
Posted September 16, 2020
W. L. Gore & Associates announced that its GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies were recognized among the 2020 Military & Aerospace Electronics Innovators Awards. An esteemed and experienced panel of judges from the aerospace and defense community recognized Gore as a Gold honoree. These assemblies are being recognized for their durability and reliability for precision testing of electronic warfare (EW) / radar suites; electronic surveillance/counter measures; radar warning systems; missile approach warning systems; and navigation/communication systems.
Event
W. L. Gore & Associates Goes Virtual at IMS2020
August 4, 2020 - August 6, 2020
Due to the ongoing challenge of COVID-19, IMS2020 has been moved to virtual with live streaming. A key topic at the symposium is 5G connectivity, and Gore will present a portfolio of reliable microwave/RF test assemblies for 5G testing. We’ll describe how our cable assemblies provide durable, stable, and consistent performance to ensuring accurate and reliable testing results.
Press Release
Gore Products to Enable Mars 2020 Mission Communications
Posted July 30, 2020
W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) today announced the company’s involvement in the Mars 2020 Mission scheduled for launch on July 30 from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. This U.S. mission addresses high-priority scientific goals for exploration to help answer the questions of potential life on Mars.
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