Design engineers have and will always have plenty of development opportunities in the military-aerospace (Mil-Aero) electronics sectors. This is despite these industries experiencing bumpy rides resulting from the economic impact of the pandemic. According to a Deloitte marketing study, the sectors were also affected by supply chain disruptions and stalled growth.
But pandemic or not, Mil-Aero still requires a dynamic industrial infrastructure to function and meet global demands. Military-grade products and products targeted for aerospace development must be reliable and functional for mission-critical embedded systems and applications in the harshest conditions.
Mil-Aero systems encompass several categories of solutions from avionics to radar, to high-end communication platforms and include component types such as sensors, radio-frequency interconnects, and power devices.
In this week's New Tech Tuesdays, let's look at Microchip, Amphenol, and ITT Cannon MIL-Aero products available to design engineers who are developing Mil-Aero solutions.
Microchip High-Reliability Discrete (HRDS) Products include power solutions for aerospace, aviation, military-grade, automotive, and industrial applications. Microchip's solutions cover the gamut—from diodes, transistors, MOSFETs, power management devices, linear and switching regulators, converters, inverters, and power modules. Products range from discrete analog components to mixed-signal integrated circuits to complete system solutions. Among the products include the SA50-120 DC-to-DC power converters. The radiation-hardened SA50 contains an internal EMI filter making it compliant to Mil-Std 461 emissions and susceptibility.
For designs in which durability is the main objective, Amphenol Socapex PowerSafe MIL-DTL-38999 Series III Connectors are tough-as-nails military-grade products that can function in extreme environments. The connectors can provide power transfer as high as 500V while making them user-safe. Depending on shell and backshell plating, the connectors also operate in a temperate range as low as -65°C and up to +200°C. They're available in aluminum, stainless steel, or composite with several finish options.
ITT Cannon MKJ Clip Lock Miniature Circular Connectors fit the bill for military-grade interconnect solutions that support a wide range of applications. These light, reliable connectors come with a quick connect clip lock and feature multiple keying options to prevent mismating, diverse contact options, and are field repairable.
Mil-Aero electronics technology encompasses a diverse set of applications, from military-grade solutions to aerospace development. Although the pandemic might have disrupted supply chains and temporarily stagnated growth, design engineers will find plenty of Mil-Aero solutions available for development and deployment going forward.
Tommy Cummings is a freelance writer/editor based in Texas. He's had a journalism career that has spanned more than 40 years. He contributes to Texas Monthly and Oklahoma Today magazines. He's also worked at The Dallas Morning News, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, San Francisco Chronicle, and others. Tommy covered the dot-com boom in Silicon Valley and has been a digital content and audience engagement editor at news outlets. Tommy worked at Mouser Electronics from 2018 to 2021 as a technical content and product content specialist.