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SteelFlex Armored Fiber Cables

SteelFlex Armored Tactical Fiber Optic Cables

 SteelFlex Armored Fiber Cable

The US military relies on tactical fiber optic cables for its communication systems because they are exceptionally durable and can withstand significant abuse without failing. However, if you are not in the military, it is difficult to find fiber optic cables that are built to last even half as long as military grade fiber optic cables.

SteelFlex Armored Tactical Fiber Optic Cables from OptoSpan are made of the same materials as those used by the United States military and are available for commercial use. OptoSpan's SteelFlex Armored fiber cables are extensively used by the US military and large defense contractors such as Raytheon and Lockheed Martin!

 

SteelFlex Armored: The most rugged, light weight, and flexible fiber optic cable available!

SteelFlex Armored Fiber Polarity

OptoSpan SteelFlex Armored Fiber cables feature a revolutionary system comprised of stainless steel metal tubes held in place by overlapping steel connections.

SteelFlex Armored Specifications

This premium tactical fiber optic cable is ruggedized using steel locks to ensure that optical network transmission is undisturbed by severe crush loads, natural disasters, or even animal damage, while preserving the remarkable flexibility required for tight corners or locations.

These highly ruggedized yet lightweight and flexible fiber optic cables are resistant to mechanical damage caused by crushing, abrasion, cutting, and pulling - all of which can easily break the cable's fiber strands.

This results in a high-performance fiber optic network that is several times more reliable and has substantially less downtime than using traditional fiber optic cables. SteelFlex Armored tactical fiber cables are ideal for military applications since they are engineered to withstand the harsh environments and conditions.

The cable's high crush resistance, great flexibility, and light weight are just a few of the key characteristics. SteelFlex Tactical Fiber Optic Cables are also suitable for critical data center backbones, fiber-to-desktop connectivity, harsh environment communications, and rodent proof applications.

SteelFlex Armored Fiber Optic Cable

SteelFlex Armored Fiber Optic Cable

SteelFlex Armored MPO Cables

SteelFlex Armored MPO Cables

Do you need help choosing the ideal OptoSpan’s SteelFlex armored cables for your application? SanSpot’s network engineers can evaluate your unique situation and recommend a complimentary cable configuration that is suitable for your needs. Please feel free to contact us toll-free at 1-800-720-3860, or you can email [email protected].

Industry’s First!

OptoSpan combined SteelFlex Armored Cable with IP68 Weatherproof bayonet locking connectors to produce the industry's most rugged and versatile solution for harsh outdoor, military, and FTTA applications.

Harsh Environment SteelFlex CableSteelFlex Armored Cables with IP68 Bayonet Connectors have a secure lockable design, are rugged, flexible, and lightweight, and have a high level of impact resistance, allowing them to withstand extreme temperatures, rain, and snow. These fiber optic cables for outdoor use are simple to install and do not require any additional tools. When other types of fiber optic cables cannot be used due to their inability to endure harsh outside conditions, these cables are perfect for antenna installations. These are 100 percent waterproof industrial quality outdoor fiber optic cables.

These ODVA-compliant military grade fiber optic cables with an IP68 rating are designed to withstand the weather and provide years of dependable operation. They include a lockable bayonet connector system that ensures tamper-resistant connectivity for outdoor antennas and enables engineers to swiftly and reliably install them while wearing gloves. Each locked connector adds an additional layer of security and reduces the likelihood of tampering or the connector breaking loose due to vibrations. These are the only fiber optic cables capable of withstanding the most treacherous of environments.

Fiber to the Antenna (FTTA) applications are becoming more prevalent in a variety of industries, including telecommunications, public safety, and military facilities. These armored IP68 rated outdoor fiber optic cables incorporate unique features that enable them to endure harsh environments. It is critical to select the correct type of cable to ensure that your fiber optic network is not harmed by humidity or other external variables that might cause corrosion and destroy the fibers contained within your cabling system. This is potentially harmful, as the subsequent network failures may impact emergency services such as police stations, fire departments, and hospitals, among others. OptoSpan’s SteelFlex Armored cables with IP68 Bayonet connectors are ideal for such mission-critical network connections.

OptoSpan SteelFlex Armored Cables with IP68 Connectors are offered in many combinations of MPO and LC connector configurations. Additionally, in-line and bulk-head adapters are available for connections at the transition points.

A Next-Generation Fiber Optic Cable with Key Features:

Highly Flexible Armored cables: OptoSpan SteelFlex industrial fiber optic cables utilize an innovative interlocking system that offers optimum flexibility, strength, and durability.

Ruggedized Military Grade Construction: These robust fiber optic cables are built with tough, durable 302 stainless steel, aramid yarn, and special polymer jackets to protect the fibers from physical damage and provide strain relief.

Outdoor IP68 Rating - 100% waterproof: These armored fiber optic cables are rated IP68 for outdoor use and are also perfect for use in an indoor data center.

High-temperature resistance: These cables are designed to operate in extreme temperature ranges, from -40°C~+85°C, ensuring reliable performance in environments with fluctuating temperatures.

Chemical resistance: The jackets on these tough environment fiber optic cables are built of chemically resistant materials to protect the fibers from corrosive substances, oils, and solvents often encountered in industrial situations.

Rodent Proof: To prevent rodents from gnawing on the cables and harming the fibers, these tough fiber optic cables are built with the OptoLock Mechanism, which consists of a steel metal tube secured into place by overlapping links.

Crush resistance: These fiber cables are engineered to withstand high compressive forces and resist crushing, which can be a common occurrence in industrial settings.

Vibration and mechanical stress resistance: The SteelFlex armored fiber cables feature a reinforced design that allows them to withstand continuous vibration and mechanical stress, ensuring consistent performance in areas with heavy machinery or equipment.

Withstand Repeated Bending: These cables are ideal for intricate routing in compact places because their bend-insensitive fibers keep signals intact even when bent or twisted repeatedly.

Simple Installation without Rigid Conduit: These fiber optic cables are waterproof and can be deployed in outdoor settings without the need for rigid conduits.

Customized connectors: These cables can be customized with LC, SC, ST, MTP, MPO and other specialized connectors designed for harsh environments, such as IP-rated or military-grade connectors.

See below image for ideal applications for the OptoSpan SteelFlex Armored Cable with IP68 Bayonet Connectors .

 SteelFlex Harsh Environment Applications

When to use Tactical Armored Fiber Cables?

SteelFlex Tactical Fiber Optic Cables are specifically engineered to withstand the rigors of regular use in a wide range of environments, from indoor workplaces to outdoor construction sites. It is constructed with an extremely resilient sheath that shields the internal optical fibers from damage caused by water, dirt, oil, or other contaminants.

These ruggedized, military grade fiber optic cables are perfect for interconnections that require flexibility but cannot be made through a rigid conduit. Additionally, these armored cables can be used to protect fibers inside data center cable trays, thereby boosting the reliability of mission-critical fiber optic networks. With steel armor protecting the confined fibers, this is the only flexible tactical fiber optic cable that can withstand the harshest circumstances, including repeated bending, rodent attacks, and exposure to water.

Does fiber optic cable have to be in conduit for protection?


Traditional conduit is an inflexible and expensive method of running fiber optic cable. It is costly and difficult to install.

OptoSpan's SteelFlex Armored fiber optic cables solve all of these issues with conduit installation. These tactical fiber cables are flexible, simple to install, and economical! If you are transmitting any form of data or video transmission through your building's walls, cable trays, raised floors or ceilings, this steel armored fiber optic cable will save you time and money while delivering improved flexibility compared to normal conduits.

Is SteelFlex Armored an outdoor rated fiber optic cable?

The majority of fiber optic cables used in important indoor-outdoor infrastructure and military applications are not ruggedized, weatherproof, or waterproof, and are not even reinforced to withstand bending damage.

OptoSpan addressed this requirement by developing the SteelFlex Armored outdoor fiber optic cable, which is completely watertight and weatherproof and resists damage caused by repeated bending. This outdoor armored fiber cable was constructed using a high-strength stainless steel locking shell rather than the typical loose tube design used for outdoor applications.  These outdoor rated fiber optic cables have IP68 designation for, which makes them ideal for outdoor fiber optic networks where they may come into contact with moisture, dirt, or debris. This means that these wires can be used outside without any additional protection such as conduits. Not only are these cables ideal for connecting devices such as security cameras or audio equipment, but they can also be utilized inside buildings within the data centers and fiber to the desktop applications. Additionally, the cables are UV resistant, which means they will resist developing brittles over time due to prolonged exposure to sunshine.

Can SteelFlex Armored cable protect fiber optic strands from rodent and other pests?


Rodents may chew through fiber optic cables in minutes, despite the fact that they are meant to be strong and durable. The issue with rodents chewing on fiber optic cables is that they can destroy infrastructure, cause a fire hazard, and even create a network outage. Because fiber optic cables are expensive, it is critical to keep them safe from rats, mice, large birds and other pests.

SteelFlex Armored fiber optic cable is a new type of rodent proof fiber optic cable. This type of anti rodent fiber optic cable is recommended for long-term protection of your fiber optic network investment.

Armored Fiber Optic Cables: How Flexible Are They?

SteelFlex armored tactical fiber optic cable is manufactured using a flexible material that allows for easy bends in confined locations without damage to sheathing. Additionally, it features a strong steel core that protects against damage to the optical fibers during installation. As a result, these cables are compatible with any application that currently utilizes standard fiber optic cables. These military tactical fiber optic cables have a bending radius that is comparable to or slightly greater than that of conventional fiber optic cables. This enables SteelFlex Armored cables to be used in a variety of applications, including factory automation, machine vision, security cameras, and medical equipment systems.

These industrial strength fiber optic cables reduce the time and labor costs associated with pulling standard fiber optic cables through rigid conduit or other constrained spaces during the installation of fiber optic networks. This flexible fiber optic cable is ideal for extending fiber networks across buildings or floors within a building, as well as for mobile communication systems such as radio frequency (RF) networks on railcars and trucks.

Typical Armored Tactical Fiber Optic Cable Configurations

Duplex Armored Cables

MPO/MTP Armored Cables

Custom Armored Military Fiber Optic Cables

In addition to the above available configurations, OptoSpan offers Custom Armored Tactical Fiber Optic Cables that are designed specifically for your application.

Quality and Engineering Excellence


By utilizing our proprietary manufacturing process developed over 15 years of experience, we are able to produce higher performance products using the same components, hence lowering the cost to our clients. OptoSpan cables are made in a Class 10,000 (ISO14644-1, ISO7) clean room facility, which eliminates the potential of end face contamination.

Quality and Engineering Excellence

By utilizing our proprietary manufacturing process developed over 15 years of experience, we are able to produce higher performance products using the same components, hence lowering the cost to our clients. OptoSpan cables are made in a Class 10,000 (ISO14644-1, ISO7) clean room facility, which eliminates the potential of end face contamination.

Rohs Compliant

Quality Management Systems

  • ISO 9001: 2008
  • TL9000 (Ver. 5)

Standards Compliance

  • Telcordia GR-326 Core
  • TIA-604-18: FOCIS 18
  • IEC 61754-7-3:2019

OptoSpan fiber optic cables are RoHS compliant.

Cleaning and Testing Armored Fiber Optic Cables


Due to larger surface area and array of fibers, MPO connectors are more prone to contamination. OptoSpan recommends cleaning armored MPO cables before each insertion using these simple MPO cable cleaners. To clean the LC side, use the OptoSpan LC connector cleaner.

For troubleshooting armored MPO and duplex fiber cable connections (fiber breaks or defects) during installation, or for identifying faults during general use, OptoSpan offers a simple MPO fiber tester and Duplex fiber tester.


You might be interested in the following MPO Cables related products.

Are you looking for custom-designed armored military tactical fiber cables? Visit our section on Custom Armored Fiber Cables...
Do you require MPO/MTP patch panels that are compatible with armored MPO/MTP cables? Visit our Fiber Optic Patch Panels...
Need armored rugged MPO Cables? Our Armored MPO Cables...
Do you require the strongest MTP cables available in the industry? Visit our Armored MTP Cables section for more information...
For the highest performance armored ruggedized MTP Cables, go to this link... Armored MTP Elite Cables
If you prefer to use armored tactical LC-LC breakout cables... Visit our Section on Armored Breakout Fiber Cables...
Need IP68 (Weatherproof) and additional MTP Cable options? Visit our section on Specialty Fiber Optic Cables...

US Conec® owns the registered trademarks MTP® and MTP Elite®. Each OptoSpan MTP to MTP Cable is equipped with MTP fiber connectors manufactured by US Conec®.