Tactical fiber optic patch cable trunks and assemblies (TFOCA) are used in applications that require rapid deployment, durability, resilience, and rapid redeployment. These TFCOA cables are most commonly used in military applications, but they are also used in many other applications. We examine the what, the where, and the why in this article.
What Is a Tactical Fiber Optic Trunk Cable?
A tactical fiber trunk is a fiber optic patch cable hardened to meet rigorous field requirements. The tactical label boils down to not only being sturdy but also re-deployable. They are rated for harsh environments, are highly flexible, are crush-resistant, and often require retrieval as they are moved from one assignment to the next.
Here are the critical requirements.
- Crush-resistant and highly durable fiber optic cables can withstand being walked on, driven over, and used outdoors in all weather conditions.
- Round compact cable design for easy deployment and retrieval. Pre-terminated with watertight connectors.
- High-strength, lightweight, rugged, tight-buffered cables surrounded by a thick layer of aramid, specifically designed for field use.
- Helical-stranded, flexible cores can withstand demanding military pulls while providing outstanding mechanical protection for the optical fibers.
- Core-locked polyurethane jacket for high-strength, abrasion, and chemical resistance.
- Heavy-duty self-deployment reels that can be readily deployed and retrieved without damage to the fiber cables.
What Is a TFOCA Cable? Features, Uses & Benefits
Where Is a Tactical Fiber Optic Patch Cable Used?
The term tactical most often describes military applications. Indeed, tactical fiber optic cable assemblies have a wide range of military applications. But they are by no means limited to military applications. Here’s a quick list.
- Broadcasting Applications. This includes remote video production, sporting event coverage, and news coverage. This also meets the requirements for outdoor concerts and political rallies, with cables deployed for portable video walls, sound systems, and other communications.
- Emergency Installations. When an existing fiber-optic cable system is damaged by weather, earthquakes, or other disasters, temporary replacement tactical fiber-optic cable assemblies can be quickly deployed.
- Mining and Exploration Applications. Deep mining and underground exploration require readily deployed communication cables in harsh, wet environments. They are also removed and deployed elsewhere as the mine expands or exploration takes a different turn.
- Communication and Security Systems. This applies to any critical communication lines that need to be installed on very short notice and redeployed on similarly short notice. This could be due to emergencies or sudden requirements that weren’t easily foreseen.
- Military Tactical Deployments. This type of installation is at the heart of tactical fiber trunks. The environment is harsh and often extreme. As a result, the deployment is subject to rapid advances or tactical movements that happen on short notice.
The Why of Tactical Fiber Trunks—A Case Study
The many requirements and applications for tactical fiber optic patch cables are documented above. In addition, this type of fiber optic cable offers rapid deployment of rugged cables that can withstand harsh environments and be reeled up quickly for deployment elsewhere.
To provide further insight, we’ve captured a case study of why the U.S. Navy chose our cables and how they were used.
During shooting and ammunition training at one of its bases, the U.S. Navy uses a high-tech method to analyze performance with the help of custom tactical fiber optic cable assemblies. This device monitors the biological and environmental effects on men and women in a high-heat desert environment.
In addition to the harsh outdoor application, the fiber optic patch cable assembly needed to meet extra durability and flexibility requirements to accommodate the required mobility of the equipment. This required mil-spec custom tactical fiber optic cable assembly on tactical cable reels, complete with IP67 and IP68 circular connectors.
The IP67 and IP68 connectors are built for use in demanding environments. IP stands for ingress protection, and the ratings published by the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC) indicate the connector’s ability to keep out dust, water, foreign objects, and other contaminants.
Tactical Fiber Cables Made in the USA: Trusted By Military Forces for Reliability
In the IP connector ratings, a rating of 6 means that the connector is dust-tight, a characteristic critical to the assembly’s performance in a desert environment. For IP67 connectors, the ‘7’ indicates that the connector is water-resistant up to 1 meter deep for 30 minutes or less. For IP68 connectors, the 8 represents water resistance for continuous immersion at depths greater than one meter.
In the case of the military tactical fiber optic patch cable assemblies designed by Cables Unlimited, rugged IP67 and IP68 connectors were chosen for their ability to prevent dust or water they’re likely to encounter in their outdoor application from damaging their operation.
The tactical fiber optic cable on tactical reels was designed for mobility and rapid cable deployment. Paired with the rugged construction of the fiber optic cable assembly, featuring high-quality waterproof IP67 and IP68 connectors, the custom assembly was ideally suited for harsh military use in the desert environment.
We Can Meet Your Tactical Fiber Optic Patch Cable Needs
We are a Corning Gold House Partner and collaborate with numerous suppliers to source materials. We also have extensive in-house capabilities. Additionally, we prioritize working with USA-based suppliers, many of whom are located near our manufacturing facilities on both the East and West Coasts.
If your requirements are already specified and ready for a quote for your current projects, we are prepared to meet your deadlines and pricing targets. Our extensive in-house services and advanced manufacturing capabilities are in place to meet your requirements.
But Cables Unlimited offers much more than state-of-the-art manufacturing—our dedicated team is also known for going to great lengths to meet the needs of our customers, including working around the clock to meet tight turnaround time requirements.
Our sales representatives are available to assist you with product questions and provide quotes Monday through Friday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm Eastern. Of course, you can also email us or complete our contact form, and we’ll get back to you promptly.
