Fischer Freedom Hybrid Circular Connector Combining Signals-Power-Fiber for Embarked Soldier Electronic Systems and Vehicle Combat Station

The Fischer Freedom Hybrid is the third-generation hybrid circular connector designed for combat electronics systems engineers who need a single electrical-optical interface to connect all subsystems of a vehicular combat station or embarked soldier equipment — power supply for thermal vision and radio systems, digital communication signals, and fiber optic link for high-resolution video — without proliferating individual connectors that multiply failure points and connection time under combat pressure.

The Freedom's hybrid architecture combines in the same AISI 316L stainless steel 23 mm diameter housing three types of contacts that historically required three separate connectors: 16 signal contacts for CAN buses, RS-422, 100BASE-TX Ethernet, and audio/PTT signals; 4 high-amperage power contacts individually rated at 30 A each to power thermal imagers (typically 12-18 W), VHF/UHF radios (typically 20-50 W in transmission), and vehicle combat chassis power management systems; and 2 OM3 50 µm multimode fiber optic channels with maximum insertion loss of 0.3 dB for ISR video transmission without image quality degradation at lengths up to 300 meters in the vehicle installation.

The MIL-DTL-38999 Series III compatible panel mounting footprint allows replacing the existing conventional signal connector on already-qualified platforms — such as Peru's M113 IFV or TATRA 4×4 logistics trucks — with the Freedom hybrid connector without modifying the mounting panel or revalidating the platform before MINDEF, reducing the integration cost of new electronic subsystems on in-service platforms. The operating temperature of −55°C to +125°C covers the complete range of Andean operations (nighttime temperatures of −20°C on the altiplano) through the engine compartment temperature conditions of an armored vehicle in continuous operation.