Product Insights
Legacy of Reliability
For more than 70 years, our DEUTSCH electronic components have enabled engineers to design reliable connections in technology used in the harshest environments – commercial and military aerospace, oil/gas tech, and heavy-duty vehicles. Our legacy line of DEUTSCH circular connectors include M81511, MIL-DTL 26482 Series 2, and MIL-DTL 83723 Series 3.
The DEUTSCH story begins in the 1950s. It started when the United States Navy and United States Air Force were competing to develop product specifications for electronic components used in fighter jets.
The specs developed from this race led to the emergence of a new breed of connectors appropriate for use in a wider assortment of military applications as well as in both commercial aerospace technology and factory and offshore production equipment. Three products from this time have proven valuable in standing the test of time: TE Connectivity (TE)’s legacy line of DEUTSCH circular connectors m81511, mil-dtl 26482 series 2, and mil-dtl 83723 series 3.
These connectors have consistently delivered rugged, reliable connectivity even as the technology evolved. Over the years, these connectors have enabled engineers to achieve high-performance operating efficiencies and improvements in cannot-fail applications – where the top requirement is preventing unexpected disruptions, unnecessary delays, and unacceptable problems and shutdowns that could result in mission critical applications being impacted.
Designing the Connected Aircraft for smarter, faster connectivity. Today’s aircraft are more connected than ever before to make flight more efficient and safe. Pilots and ground crews require more information at faster speeds to manage increasingly complex aircraft systems. To meet these demands, TE Connectivity (TE) has developed technologies that provide reliable performance in harsh environments to make modern air travel faster, more efficient and enjoyable.
Since the beginning, the DEUTSCH name has been associated with reliabillity. Our DEUTSCH legacy connectors are designed to withstand extreme humidity, temperatures, weather, corrosion, and vibration. To achieve this, our engineers designed the solutions with an environmentally tight seal for moisture protection that also helps prevent unintended un-mating while providing an effective way for mechanics to make and replace reliable connections.
In addition to reliability, these connectors are manufactured for versatility, which differentiates these solutions from similar standard products. These are configurable in ~30,000 parts and are available in differing shell sizes, shell styles, connector shapes, plating options, male and female genders, contact sizes, and insert arrangements.
The typical range of contacts in the mil-dtl 26482 series 2 and mil-dtl 83723 series 3 connectors ranges from 2 to 61 contacts, while the m81511 connector features a selection of insert and contact arrangements to expand its range up to 155 contacts.
DEUTSCH 81511 Connector
As the first of the legacy parts to go into active use, this solution was originally developed by the US Navy about 50 years ago. Today, our DEUTSCH 81511 legacy circular connector is crucial for retrofitting and maintaining older aircraft to keep these planes operating reliably in action. The m81511 is typically used in electronic communications, which in planes includes pilot-to-landing gear communication, pilot-to-munitions communication, pilot-to-engine relationship, and communication systems throughout the aircraft.
DEUTSCH 26482 Series 2 Connector
Developed by the US Air Force, our DEUTSCH 26482 series 2 connector remains in high demand and is still designed into many defense platforms, including some critical areas in the defense aircraft as well as ground vehicle systems and support systems that support ground troops, including communication platforms and portable bases commonly used by soldiers living in the field. Our mil-dtl 26482 series 2 connectors reliably provide the tremendous amount of electricity that these kinds of systems require to power up the bases. These critical systems operate a portable base that relies on the mil-dtl 26482 series 2 connectors for reliable connectivity during flight, particularly in systems for lighting, food service, recharging products, and generators.
DEUTSCH 83723 Series 3 Connector
Similar to the 26482 series 2, our DEUTSCH 83723 series 3 connector – which was first developed by the US Navy – is used in many different technologies than its original intent. Today, our mil-dtl 83723 series 3 connector is used in military platform aircrafts and systems as well as in commercial aircraft technology, including the braking system on larger commercial aircrafts. The mil-dtl 83723 series 3 connector facilitates communication between pilot and functionality of aircraft. It is often also used in other critical systems, including ground support and radar systems.
Solving Crucial Connection Challenges
Our portfolio of DEUTSCH legacy connectors is known for solving crucial connection issues in cannot-fail applications. These field-proven, highly reliable products provide robust solutions for mission critical applications, which is why some older mil-spec solutions such as these are still in use today. The designers of military aircraft, missiles, ground vehicles, and solider systems cannot rely on all newer technology, because it takes decades for a component to prove its robustness and ruggedness under extreme use in harsh environment, making our tried and true DEUTSCH legacy connectors relevant today for even the most advanced aerospace and production equipment. Browse our DEUTSCH portfolio to find the legacy circular connectors that are right for your design.
