Overview

MORE FLEXIBILITY WITH STABLE PERFORMANCE

Inside-the-box and between-the-box systems often use traditionally designed RG or semi-rigid aircraft cable assemblies that are hard to route in smaller areas. They’re known to fail frequently and are difficult to replace because they usually involve costly configuration drawings and time-consuming installation procedures requiring longer aircraft downtime.

The defense sector needs a more flexible, electrically stable aircraft RF cable option that won’t break or fail during routing to keep aircraft in operation longer and save money overall.

PROVEN TO SURVIVE RIGOROUS ROUTING

Unlike traditionally designed choices, GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies offer small, extremely flexible options proven to survive rigorous handling and routing in the tightest configurations.

Our aerospace coaxial cable assemblies have tighter bend radii that aircraft maintainers will find much easier and faster to route. For instance, we bent our Type 4L version down to 0.10 inches and it successfully maintained low insertion loss, reliable VSWR and consistent impedance control.

Not only that, but a common failure point for semi-rigid aviation coaxial cables during routing is right next to the connector. When we flexed our Type 4L version next to the aircraft coaxial connector, it still maintained its mechanical and electrical integrity.

Also, the coaxial wire inside our aviation RF cables is wrapped with a unique proprietary insulation material that’s lighter weight than traditional materials used in RG and semi-rigid cables. The bonus is that our aerospace lightweight cable can help improve aircraft fuel efficiency and increase payload options.

Consistent Performance Over Time

We offer many types of cables used in aircraft systems that operate reliably up to 70 gigahertz (GHz). They consistently deliver excellent signal performance at extremely high military aircraft frequencies over time while maintaining an impedance of 50 +/- 1 ohm to exceed industry standards. Our low-loss coaxial cables also provide outstanding shielding effectiveness at more than 90 dB through 18 GHz.

Why waste time and money constantly replacing RG or semi-rigid aviation cable assemblies? Instead, use GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies in your aerospace and defense RF general purpose application. We’re sure you’ll see improved installation results, longer service life, reduced aircraft downtime and lower total cost of ownership.

Gore’s flexible aerospace wire coaxial design for general purpose defense aircraft applications.
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Perfluoroalkoxy (PFA) Jacket

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Torque-resistant braid

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Helically wrapped, silver-plated outer conductor

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Silver-plated copper conductor

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ePTFE dielectric
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Highly flexible design of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose

Applications

PROVEN PERFORMANCE ACROSS AIRCRAFT APPLICATIONS

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose are thoroughly tested and pre-qualified to meet stringent industry standards and performance criteria. They perform reliably in high-density, multi-purpose and high power/low loss aircraft applications, including:

  • antenna arrays
  • backplane interconnects
  • between-the-box connections
  • board-to-board systems
  • inside-the-box systems
  • module-to-module interconnects

These applications are typically used in a variety of mission-critical aircraft systems such as:

  • airborne electronic surveillance/countermeasures/jamming
  • C5ISR
  • electronic/signal intelligence
  • EW (electronic warfare) systems
  • millimeter wave (mmWave) technologies
  • navigation/communications systems
  • radar interconnects
  • RWR (radar warning receiver) systems

For in-the-lab and flight-line RF testing and environmental test chambers, we invite you check out our award-winning GORE® PHASEFLEX® Microwave/RF Test Assemblies.

If you have any questions or to discuss your specific application needs, contact a Gore representative today.

Features & Benefits

GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose are engineered with unique features and provide aircraft system architects and engineers with many benefits that improve electrical, mechanical and environmental performance, such as:

  • excellent signal performance up to 70 GHz during routing and over time
  • low insertion loss and reliable VSWR during routing and over time
  • consistent phase and amplitude stability during flexure
  • controlled impedance at 50 +/- 1 ohm to exceed industry standards
  • outstanding shielding effectiveness for less interference among systems
  • greater flexibility with smaller bend radii for easier routing in tight configurations
  • improved fuel efficiency and increased payload with lightweight diameters
  • less maintenance, reduced downtime and lower total cost of ownership
  • increased design options with a variety of robust, low-profile connector options

For more information about the features and benefits of our RF defense-grade cables and assemblies, contact a Gore representative today.

Properties

These values demonstrate the electrical, mechanical and environmental performance of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose for Defense Aircraft.

We invite you to download the data sheet for more technical information and performance data about our low-loss cable assemblies.

Electrical Propertya Cable Type
4L 53 G1 G4 54 89 55
Maximum Frequency GHz 18 18 18 18 40 40 67
Typical VSWR dB through Max Frequency 1.33:1 1.32:1 1.30:1 1.30:1 1.33:1 1.40:1 1.40:1
Typical Insertion Loss dB 1.58 1.26 0.77 0.75 1.93 1.60 2.58
Attenuation at Max
Frequency dB/ft (dB/m)
1.54
(5.04)
1.13
(3.69)
0.71
(2.33)
0.63
(2.08)
1.66
(5.45)
1.63
(5.35)
2.14
(7.02)
Standard Impedance Ohms 50 ± 1
Nominal Velocity of Propagation % 85
Nominal Time Delay ns/in (ns/cm) 0.103
(0.04)
Shielding Effectiveness dB through Max Frequency > 90
Nominal Dielectric Constant 1.4

a Specifications based on a 12 in (0.3 m) assembly length and maximum frequency with straight connectors.

Mechanical / Environmental Property Cable Type
4L 53 G1 G4 54 89 55
Jacket Material PFA
Jacket Color Purple
Center Conductor Solid Solid Stranded Solid Solid Solid Solid
Dielectric Material ePTFE
Nominal Outer Diameter in (mm) 0.047
(1.2)
0.070
(1.8)
0.120
(3.0)
0.120
(3.0)
0.070
(1.8)
0.085
(2.2)
0.070
(1.8)
Nominal Weight oz/ft (g/m) 0.06
(5.6)
0.12
(11.5)
0.32
(29.5)
0.32
(29.5)
0.12
(11.5)
0.14
(13.1)
0.12
(11.5)
Minimum Bend Radius in (mm) 0.25
(6.4)
0.40
(10.2)
0.50
(12.7)
0.50
(12.7)
0.40
(10.2)
0.50
(12.7)
0.40
(10.2)
Temperature Range °C -55 to +125
Electrical Propertya Cable Type
G2 G5 G7 G9 GD 4Y 2Z 4F
Maximum Frequency GHz 18 18 26.5 26.5 40 40 50 67
Typical VSWR
dB through Max Frequency
1.19:1 1.19:1 1.17:1 1.17:1 1.30:1 1.30:1 1.26:1 1.30:1
Typical Insertion Loss dB 1.36 1.13 1.71 1.43 2.65 2.65 3.78 5.84
Attenuation at Max Frequency dB/ft (dB/m) 0.40
(1.30)
0.32
(1.06)
0.50
(1.62)
0.40
(1.30)
0.78
(2.57)
0.78
(2.57)
1.26
(4.13)
1.83
(5.99)
Typical Phase Stability Degree +/- 2.0 +/- 2.0 +/- 3.0 +/- 3.0 +/- 5.0 +/- 5.0 +/- 6.0 +/- 8.0
Typical Amplitude Stability dB < +/- 0.05
Standard Impendence Ohms 50 ± 1
Nominal Velocity of Propagation % 85
Nominal Time Delay ns/in (ns/cm) 0.103
(0.04)
Shielding Effectiveness
dB through Max Frequency
> 90
Nominal Dielectric Constant 1.4

a Specifications based on a 36 in (0.9 m) assembly length and maximum frequency with straight connectors.

Mechanical / Environmental Property Cable Type
G2 G5 G7 G9 GD 4Y 2Z 4F
Jacket Material PFA
Jacket Color Purple
Center Conductor Stranded Solid Stranded Solid Solid Solid Solid Solid
Dielectric Material ePTFE
Nominal Outer Diameter in (mm) 0.19
(4.8)
0.19
(4.8)
0.19
(4.8)
0.19
(4.8)
0.16
(4.1)
0.15
(3.8)
0.14
(3.6)
0.12
(3.0)
Nominal Weight oz/ft (g/m) 0.60
(55.8)
0.60
(55.8)
0.60
(55.8)
0.60
(55.8)
0.39
(36.1)
0.39
(36.1)
0.35
(32.8)
0.32
(29.5)
Minimum Bend Radius in mm) 1.0
(25.4)
1.0
(25.4)
1.0
(25.4)
1.0
(25.4)
1.0
(25.4)
1.0
(25.4)
1.0
(25.4)
0.5
(12.7)
Temperature Range °C -55 to +125
Electrical Propertya Cable Type
G3 G6 8W
Maximum Frequency GHz 18
Typical VSWR
dB through Max Frequency
1.24:1 1.22:1 1.28:1
Typical Insertion Loss dB 1.00 0.80 0.75
Attenuation at Max Frequency dB/ft (dB/m) 0.26
(0.84)
0.21
(0.68)
0.19
(0.63)
Typical Phase Stability Degree +/- 6.0 +/- 8.0 +/- 15.0
Typical Amplitude Stability dB < +/- 0.05
Standard Impendence Ohms 50 ± 1
Nominal Velocity of Propagation % 85
Nominal Time Delay ns/in (ns/cm) 0.103
(0.04)
Shielding Effectiveness
dB through Max Frequency
> 90
Nominal Dielectric Constant 1.4

a Specifications based on a 36 in (0.9 m) assembly length and maximum frequency with straight connector.

Mechanical / Environmental Property Cable Type
G3 G6 8W
Jacket Material PFA
Jacket Color Purple
Center Conductor Stranded Solid Solid
Dielectric Material ePTFE
Nominal Outer Diameter in (mm) 0.29
(7.4)
0.29
(7.4)
0.32
(8.1)
Nominal Weight oz/ft (g/m) 1.41
(131.2)
1.41
(131.2)
1.55
(144.4)
Minimum Bend Radius in (mm) 1.5
(38.1)
1.5
(38.1)
2.0
(50.8)
Temperature Range °C -55 to +125

Connector Options

Gore offers robust, low-profile connectors designed precisely for our flexible aircraft coaxial cable assemblies. We engineer them to complement the performance of each RF cable type, minimizing loss and reflection for optimized signal transmission.

For general purpose applications, our selection includes a variety of aircraft electrical connector types operating at frequencies up to 70 GHz. We provide solutions compliant with SOSA™ and VITA 67.3 standards. Examples include size 8 BMB connectors rated up to 18 GHz and size 12 SMPM connectors rated up to 50 GHz for use with gang-mated MIL-DTL-38999 connector systems. Other threaded connector options include SMA, 1.85 mm (V), 2.4 mm, 2.92 mm (K), and push-on SMP, SMPM and BMB.

For more information or if you have any questions about our connector options, visit our online Microwave/RF Cable Assembly Builder. Alternatively, you can contact a Gore representative today.

Videos

Watch these videos and more on YouTube of Gore engineers demonstrating the features and benefits of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies, General Purpose for Defense Aircraft.

 

 

Online Tools

Easy to Use, Fast Results

Gore’s online resources are designed specifically to make it easy for you to select the right microwave/RF assembly for your specific application requirements.

Gore’s online microwave/RF cable builder tool.

Microwave/RF Cable Assembly Builder allows you to design a Microwave/RF Cable Assembly with ease from your desktop, tablet or mobile phone. Whether you are working in Test & Measurement, Spaceflight, Aerospace or Defense you can design an RF cable assembly to meet your specific needs. Once you design your assemblies you’ll be able to download custom datasheets for your builds within minutes, and you can also submit the builds for a quote. A Gore specialist will then review your designs and application requirements.

Microwave/RF Cable Assembly Calculator allows you to calculate insertion loss, VSWR and other parameters of Gore’s assemblies for different cable types. Select and compare up to 3 cables at a time.

If you have any questions or to discuss your specific application needs, contact a Gore representative today.

How to Buy

ORDER GORE MICROWAVE/RF ASSEMBLIES, GENERAL PURPOSE TODAY

Proven to perform without failure during installation and operation over time, we offer a portfolio of reliable defense aircraft high-frequency cable types and connector options operating up to 67 GHz. For more information about our aerospace cable assemblies or if you want to discuss your specific application needs and request a quote, contact a Gore representative today.

When you’re ready to order our microwave/RF cable solutions, get in touch with our authorized distributors for in-stock availability.

Resources

Recent News

Press Release

W. L. GORE & ASSOCIATES TO PRESENT NEW MOSA PAPER AT GVSETS CONFERENCE

Posted August 11, 2023

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) will present a new Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) technical paper at the Ground Vehicle Systems Engineering & Technology Symposium & Modernization Update (GVSETS) on Tuesday, August 15, in Novi, Mich.

Event

Meet Gore at the Paris Air Show

June 19, 2023 - June 25, 2023

Visit our Booth 2C-C358 to see GORE® Cables and Materials that have been proven and trusted over time in fighter jets, rotorcraft and passenger airliners. Reserve your time slot now for a 1-on-1 discussion to talk with us about your latest airframe and aviation system developments.

Event

Visit Gore at the Army Aviation Mission Solutions Summit (AAAA)

April 26, 2023 - April 29, 2023

Stop by Booth 1023 and ask to see our demonstrations to watch how GORE® Cables and Materials perform reliably before and after installation and over time. We’re also eager to hear about your latest airframe and aviation system developments and talk with you about our solutions to ensure mission performance and aircrew protection for FARA, FLRAA and enduring fleet.

Press Release

W. L. Gore & Associates Expands High-Speed Data Transmission Capabilities

Posted April 18, 2023

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced today its new Cat8 ethernet cable for use in aerospace and defense platforms. The new Cat8 ethernet cable allows for four times the high-speed data transmission previously possible.

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