What is MIL-DTL-17?

MIL-DTL-17 is a U.S. military specification that outlines the general requirements, performance requirements, and test methods & procedures for flexible and semirigid coaxial cables that have solid and semisolid dielectric cores, with single, dual, and twin inner conductors. 

The MIL-DTL-17 document specifies requirements for coaxial cables related to the material used in cables, design & construction, inner conductors, dielectric cores, outer conductor (or extra shield), interlayers, jacket material, marking, workmanship, packaging, and more. It also specifies performance requirements related to parameters such as adhesion of conductors, continuity, operational, voltage withstanding, characteristic impedance, RF transmission loss (attenuation), standing wave ratio (return loss), capacitance & inductance, time delay, aging stability, bendability, flammability, heat distortion, and tensile strength and elongation.  

Additionally, the MIL-DTL-17 document outlines test methods and procedures, including tests as listed below to conduct Materials inspection, Final inspection, Qualification inspection, and Conformance inspection to verify whether the cable samples meet all the requirements specified in this standard. 

• Visual and mechanical examination testing
• Electrical tests  
• Mechanical tests, flammability test etc.  

The document also covers details of inspection conditions (e.g., temperature, relative humidity, and atmospheric pressure) and test equipment and inspection facilities.

Manufacturers (contractors) supplying coax cables to U.S. military for RF applications must meet all the requirements specified by the MIL-DTL-17 standard to ensure that their products function reliably and can withstand the harsh environmental conditions found in military operations. 

The MIL-DTL-17 standard applies to the following cable types:

• Flexible, coaxial single conductor 
• Semirigid, coaxial single conductor
• Cables with dual and twin inner conductors 
• Triaxial cables 

Coaxial cables covered by the MIL-DTL-17 specification are primarily intended for use as transmission lines in military, aerospace, and commercial applications, covering a broad frequency range from low to high frequencies, including microwave and radar bands. These cables can be used for purposes such as simple power transfer (either continuously or intermittently), circuit components, delay lines, or impedance-matching devices.  

The purpose of this specification is to ensure that coax cables supplied to U.S. military applications meet the required quality standards in all aspects and can withstand the harsh conditions found in military environments. This military standard is used by all Departments and Agencies of the Department of Defense. It is revised periodically, and MIL-DTL-17 Revision J (w/AMENDMENT 4, dated 11 October 2023) is the current revision (As of October 2024). 

The MIL-DTL-17 Certification Process     

According to the MIL-DTL-17 specification, cable manufacturer (contractor) is required to have their products listed in the applicable Qualified Products List (QPL) before the contract award. To be included in the QPL, the manufacturer must establish and maintain a QPL system according to the requirements of the MIL-STD-790 standard. The QPL system ensures that cable samples undergo all the required qualification testing, including mechanical, electrical, and other performance tests as specified by this specification. The contractor must have evidence of completing the required qualification tests. 

The qualifying activity (QA) is generally a government agency that will verify evidence of compliance submitted by the manufacturer. If the product meets all qualification requirements or the necessary standards mentioned in this specification, the QA will issue a certificate authorizing the product's listing in the applicable QPL. 

According to MIL-DTL-17 specification, to retain qualification, the contractor must submit a report at 24-month intervals to the qualifying activity.

Click here to download the MIL-DTL-17 Standard document.

Click here to see RF Coaxial Cables from the leading manufacturers listed on everything RF.