Overview

Maintaining signal integrity under difficult aerospace environments is essential to the reliability of sophisticated avionics in commercial aircraft. Starting with installation and continuing through harsh flight conditions, like rapid temperature/pressure changes and potential contamination from fuels, oils, and fluids. At the same time, airframe assemblies must be both lightweight and durable to improve fuel efficiency and reduce operating costs.

In fact, we conducted independent studies and research showing that globally more than 75% of microwave/RF assemblies are frequently replaced because of damage during installation or operation. So, costs can quickly add up with replacing assemblies, extra labor, and more maintenance and downtime!

LIGHTWEIGHT SOLUTION WITH LOWEST INSERTION LOSS

GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series is proven to deliver the lowest insertion loss and more reliable VSWR before/after installation, providing stable and accurate performance compared to alternative airframe assemblies. Our rugged yet flexible airframe assemblies can easily withstand rigorous routing, maintenance activities, and flight conditions ensuring life-of-aircraft performance. They’re also 17% lighter weight compared to alternative designs, which improves fuel efficiency and increases cargo.

With this high level of performance, our 6 Series reduces costly production delays, field service frequency, and the need for purchasing replacement assemblies.

Commercial aircraft manufacturers no longer have to accept the practice of replacing microwave assemblies because they get damaged during installation. A fit-and-forget philosophy is now a reality because our 6 Series provides the most cost-effective, lightweight solution that ensures avionics performance for flight crews.

Rugged construction of GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series
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Engineered fluoropolymer jacket

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Liquid barrier

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Crush member

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Vapor barrier

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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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Composite dielectric

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Rugged construction of GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series

Applications

GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series is engineered to perform reliably in commercial airborne applications, including:

  • Ku-Band SATCOM antennas
  • navigation / communications systems
  • radar interconnects

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

Benefits

GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series provides system architects and engineers with many benefits that improve electrical and mechanical performance such as:

  • outstanding signal integrity in demanding aerospace environments during use and over time
  • lowest insertion loss and more reliable VSWR before/after installation
  • less interference among critical systems due to superior shielding effectiveness
  • lower installation costs due to fewer failures and reduced aircraft production delays
  • longer system life and reduced downtime with mechanically-rugged constructions
  • durable vapor sealing prevents ingress of aircraft contaminants
  • improved fuel efficiency and increased cargo with lightweight assembly
  • increased design flexibility with robust, low-profile connector options
  • proven performance with approved aerospace materials through qualification testing

For more information about the benefits of our assemblies, please contact a Gore representative.

Properties

These values demonstrate the electrical, mechanical and environmental performance of GORE-FLIGHT Microwave Assemblies, 6 Series.

Download the catalog/data sheet for more technical information, including qualifications, comparison test data, connector options, and ordering information.

Electrical Property Cable Type
6E 65
Maximum Frequency Range (GHz) 18
Typical VSWR through Max Frequency
  (Straight Connector)
 
1.25:1
Guaranteed VSWR through Max Frequency
  (Straight Connector)
 
1.40:1
Typical Insertion Loss (dB/m [dB/ft]) 0.65 (0.20) 1.12 (0.34)
Installed Insertion Loss (dB/m [dB/ft])a 0.72 (0.22) 1.16 (0.35)
Standard Impendance (Ohms) 50 ± 1
Velocity of Propagation (Nominal) (%) 86
Time Delay (Nominal) (ns/m [ns/ft]) 4.0 (0.10)
Capacitance (pF/m [pF/ft]) 78.7 (24.0) 75.8 (23.1)
Shielding Effectiveness (dB through Max Frequency) 90
Dielectric Constant (Nominal) 1.35

a Based on a 10-foot assembly after 3 cycles through the installation simulator.

Mechanical / Environemtnal Property Cable Type
6E 65
Jacket Material Engineered Fluoropolymer
Jacket Color Black and Purple
Center Conductor Solid, Silver Plated Copper
Dielectric Material ePTFE
Nominal Outer Diameter (mm [in]) 8.9 (0.35) 6.1 (0.24)
Nominal Weight (g/m [lbs/1000 ft]) 125.0 (84.0) 60.0 (40.3)
Minimum Bend Radius (mm [in]) 48.3 (1.9) 25.4 (1.0)
Concentrated Load per MIL-T-81490, 4.7.18 (lbs) > 150
Temperature Range (°C)a -55 to +125

Installation Simulator

Gore has long been a proponent of showing accurately how its products and technologies function in real-world environments before bringing them to market. Because nearly one-third of cable failures occur during installation, this is a crucial risk factor that shouldn't be minimized. Damaged airframe assemblies can lead to compromised signal integrity and failures over time, as well as additional testing, maintenance and replacement costs. With our Cable Installation Simulator, civil and military aircraft manufacturers can be confident they are getting a reliable cable assembly solution that withstands the rigors of installation and reduces the total cost of ownership.

Jim Foreman image

Jim Foreman, Product Specialist

"Aircraft manufacturers need reliable solutions that can be installed deep within an aircraft and left there for the life of the platform. Therefore, we want to create 'fit-and-forget' solutions that will survive the demanding environments within an aircraft," said Jim Foreman, Product Manager at Gore. "We're committed to designing next-generation products that solve key challenges, and mitigate risk for aircraft," said Paul Pino, Lead Principal Design Engineer at Gore. "To do this, we test and simulate real-world conditions to ensure that our products do what we say they will do, consistently and reliably even in harsh conditions."

For more information about our Installation Simulator, download the white paper, 
Proving Installed Performance of Airframe Microwave Assemblies.

Also, download the white paper, Reducing Life Cycle Costs with Reliable Airframe Microwave Assemblies.

Videos

Watch this video and more on YouTube of Gore engineers demonstrating the benefits of GORE Microwave/RF Assemblies.

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.

NEW 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 questions about our assemblies and want to discuss your specific application needs, please contact a Gore representative.

Resources

Recent News

Press Release

W. L. Gore & Associates Wins Prestigious Frost & Sullivan Award

Posted December 3, 2024

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) announced today the company won the 2024 Frost & Sullivan Enabling Technology Leadership Award for their portfolio of aerospace and defense power enablers. The award recognizes the company that applies its technology in new ways to improve existing products and services and elevate the customer experience. Gore was honored for its achievements in the North American electrical wiring industry.

Event

Gore Cables & Assemblies on Display at Space Tech Expo

See GORE® Space Cables and Assemblies in Booth W31 at this year’s expo. Our failure-free solutions help guarantee successful launches and missions orbiting Earth and across the galaxy while ensuring astronauts’ safe return. Reserve time at the expo now to meet with a Gore specialist and discuss your latest and upcoming application challenges and requirements.

Event

Discover the Future with Gore Innovations at Farnborough Airshow

Come by to see us in Hall 1, Booth 1120G, at this year’s airshow in Farnborough, UK, from July 22-26 to discover how GORE® Cables and Materials can help propel aerospace and defense into the future. See demos to witness firsthand how our solutions outperform many alternatives. Reserve time at the airshow now to meet with a Gore specialist and discuss your latest issues and requirements.

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Explore Gore’s Next-Gen Defense Solutions at Eurosatory 2024

Visit Hall 5A H215 at this year’s show in Paris, France, from June 17-24 to check out GORE® High Speed Data Cables that ensure mission success, survivability and safety. Reserve time now for a private meeting with a Gore specialist at the show to talk about your latest system design challenges and future needs.

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