Cable portfolio of Fischer KEYSTONE Tactical Hub expands with new EUD, battery and ergonomic capabilities

Fischer Connectors continues to enhance the interoperability of soldier-worn C4ISR communications with new cables for the Fischer KEYSTONE™ power and data hubs available in 6- or 4-port configurations.

“Our R&D team is accelerating the development of the KEYSTONE cable portfolio to keep up with the high customer demand for our tactical solutions,” explains Olivier Thormann, Product Manager for Fischer KEYSTONE. “Three new cables are now available to improve the ergonomics and the versatility of connections in the dismounted soldier equipment for battlefield management systems.”

BB-2590 battery cable for battlefield power efficiency

The BB-2590 battery cable supports power management by connecting the BB-2590, the most widely used battery in military operations, and the Fischer UltiMate™ 80 plug, Nett Warrior compatible.

When paired with the Fischer KEYSTONE 6 (which includes an ATAK plug-in), the smart BB-2590 battery provides real-time power awareness, allowing dismounted soldiers to monitor state of charge , remaining operating time, voltage, and current.

The cable is wired in a 12V configuration for compatibility with battlefield power systems and supports both BB-2590 (SMBus enabled) and BA-5590 (power-only) configurations.

Rugged EUD cable for soldier tactical smartphones: Juggernaut OPRTR adapter

The new EUD cable developed to connect soldiers’ smartphones with the Juggernaut case and the KEYSTONE hub is an example of responding to many customer requests as it is the most commonly used cable in the market.

The Juggernaut OPRTR cable incorporates the screw-lock USB-C connector into the rugged, high-performance Juggernaut case, which is sealed for extreme applications and ensures a reliable, high-performance connectivity – “the best connection in terms of performance,” Thormann notes.

The new cable is assembled with the Fischer UltiMate™ 80 plug and is compatible with the power delivery integrated into the Fischer KEYSTONE hub. It allows seamless connectivity across various smartphone models, including the S23, XCOVER6 PRO, S20, S22, S22 ULTRA, S21, and S9.

90-degree cable for lean ergonomics

The KEYSTONE tactical solution serves as a wearable connectivity solution for soldier devices connected to battlefield management and IoBT (Internet of Battlefied Things) systems. As such, Fischer Connectors makes ergonomics a key consideration in the development of the cable assembly portfolio.

To enhance comfort and usability for dismounted soldiers, the Fischer Connectors R&D team has introduced a new ergonomic cable with a 90-degree overmolded assembly. The right-angle design reduces the bending radius and mechanical stress on the connector, resulting in better durability and system reliability for more seamless integration into the soldier’s gear.

The 90-degree angled overmolded plug with Fischer Connectors’ Nett Warrior-compatible UltiMate 80 connector is available with an open-end version for rapid prototyping or with the full, double-end assembly featuring a 90-degree plug and receptacle combination.

In terms of performance, the right-angle cable assembly maintains the rugged standards of the Fischer UltiMate™ 80 series, featuring IP68 sealing, 10,000 mating cycles, and high current rating.

Expanding tactical connectivity

“Commanders want better information to make faster decisions, and the Fischer KEYSTONE™ tactical hub helps soldiers and commanders stay connected,” Olivier Thormann explains. “Continuous cable assembly development is a must to keep up with the demands of the defense market while maintaining a customer-centric approach. Our R&D team is accelerating the expansion of our Fischer KEYSTONE cable range to provide military OEM design engineers with flexible and comprehensive solutions that cover most of the soldier’s connectivity needs on the battlefield.”

Fischer KEYSTONE 6 and 4 hubs benefit from a versatile suite of cable assemblies, including extensions, adapters, and interconnects for EUDs, radios, and other battlefield devices.

The portfolio comprises cable options compatible with Nett Warrior and NATO STANAG 4695/4851 interfaces in four categories:

• General purpose and power cables (USB 2.0, RS-232, RJ45, DB9, BB-2590, right-angle overmolds)
• Radio cables (Silvus, Bittium, L3 Harris, DTC CODAN, Thales)
• EUD cables (Juggernaut cases)
• Device cables (Safran Vectronix’s target acquisition systems including the MOSKITO TI target locator and the STERNA True North Finder)

Download Fischer KEYSTONE™ technical specifications incl. cable portfolio

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