What is Mil-Spec Aircraft Cable?

Here at the HotWire, we are often asked, "What exactly is a Military Specification Aircraft Cable?" The short answer is - it's an official military document that says wire rope and cable must be manufactured to certain specifications. The spec will dictate everything from size, construction, materials, and performance to testing methods, packaging and manufacturing processes.

Around these parts, our most common Military Specification (Mil-Spec) product is MIL-DTL-83420. This specification is for aircraft cable (Primarily 7x7 and 7x19), and is used in countless federal applications. You've probably even had a request for MIL-DTL-83420 come across your desk. And just like many, you probably stopped in your tracks when you starting reading about compositions, and slashes and dashes. Let us explain.

Aircraft cables under this specification are designated by size, type, and composition by what is affectionately know as the "Slash and Dash": a series of numbers meant to facilitate ordering of material based on the aforementioned size, type, and composition.

For example, you may receive an inquiry for Type 2 Composition B 3/32"-1/8" 7x7 Aircraft Cable. Or a customer may just ask you for M83420/4-013. How do you know what they need?

First, you can always consult the Military Specification page on our website. It contains a complete listing of all applicable military specification pertaining to aircraft cables, as well as downloadable versions of publicly available military specifications.

Next, feel free to contact one of our Product Managers. They can provide you with a translation, and a quotation, for the Stainless steel or Galvanized aircraft cables that you need.

And finally, if you feel the need to tackle this alone, here is an explanation of the basic details for specifying Military Specification Galvanized and Stainless Steel Aircraft cable:

Material Composition

There are two compositions of steel specified in MIL-DTL-83420

Composition A: Galvanized Steel

Composition B: Corrosion Resistant (Stainless type 302/304) Steel

Material Type

There are two types of material specified in MIL-DTL-83420M 

Type I: Bare Cable

Type II: Jacketed Cable

Back to your customer that asked for Type 2 Composition B 3/32"-1/8" 7x7 Aircraft Cable. All they were looking for was jacketed stainless 7x7 (3/32" bare coated to 1/8") or Loosco Part# SF0947701.

"Slash and Dash" 

How about if they asked for M83420/4-013?

This one's easy, as long as you have access to the MIL-DTL-83420M Qualified Producers List: 

M83420: Military Specification Mil-DTL-83420M

/4: Type II, Composition B

-013: 3/32"-1/8" 7x7

Easy enough. right?

We hope this clears up any questions you may have. As always, if you have any questions at all, please email us.