Low Cost Underwater Mateable Fiber Optic Connector

Presently placing electronics outboard of a submarine pressure hull in support of hull mounted arrays has many advantages. Research is required to develop an underwater mateable connector which will perform array/sub-array replacement without drydocking. LiteCom innovative proposed means of underwater mateable connector is based on the development of: (1) hermetic sealing material which can directly bond fiber to a metallic terminus inner wall and connector shell, providing leak rate up to 10-11 cc/sec Helium; (2) unique fiber optic termini design; (3) underwater cleanability for fiber optic termini; (4) a computer modeling to predict connector performance; and (5) a breadboard and test the designed connector as a proof-of-concept demonstration. This innovative hermetic seal fiber optic connector can withstand high vibration, mechanical shock, high pressure differential and radiation field conditions. The innovations proposed herein will provide a low cost, reliable methods for manufacturing fiber optic underwater mateable connectors that meet Navy underwater requirements.