Underwater Cables (Subsea Fiber Optic Cable Manufacturer)

Linden Photonics designs and manufactures compact, rugged underwater fiber optic cables built for demanding subsea use—supporting applications such as munitions tethers, ROV controls, and littoral water sensing. Our underwater cables are engineered with a patented cable-jacket construction designed to protect the fiber in harsh underwater environments while delivering a build that remains strong, flexible, and configurable.

Get a Quote or Call Us at (978) 392-7985

 

Why Underwater Cables Fail (and how we design against it)

Underwater cables don’t usually fail because of “fiber issues” alone — most failures start with mechanical damage, handling stress, or environmental exposure that eventually impacts optical performance. The most common failure modes we see in subsea deployments include:

  • Abrasion and cutting from rocks, hull edges, sand, and debris

  • Crush and pinch loads during handling, clamping, or seabed contact

  • Repeated bend fatigue on drums/winches and during retrieval

  • Twist accumulation (hockling/kinking) that damages fiber over time

  • Buoyancy mismatch causing snag risk, drag, or poor routing control

Our underwater cable designs focus on mechanical reliability + optical performance with options for Non-Kink™, high tensile, low profile, and buoyancy control.

Typical Underwater Cable Specifications (datasheet ranges)

Our underwater cables are built for real subsea handling—where abrasion, bend cycles, crush loads, and twist can quickly turn into optical loss. Use the specification ranges below as a quick reference to typical performance and construction targets, then request a quote with your fiber count, buoyancy, tensile, and deployment method for a build matched to your mission.

Optical

  • Fiber type: Single-mode / Multi-mode

  • Number of fibers: 1–3 (or more)

  • Attenuation @ 1310 nm: 0.45 dB/km

  • Attenuation @ 1550 nm: 0.35 dB/km

Mechanical

  • Cable diameter (OD): 400 µm – 3 mm

  • Tensile strength: 50 lbs – >200 lbs

  • Minimum bend radius: 5 mm – 10 mm

Environmental

  • Temperature range: -55°C to 125°C

Underwater Cable Types & Options

Every subsea project has different handling, load, and routing demands—so we offer multiple underwater cable constructions to match your mission. Choose from disposable STFOC builds, Non-Kink™ designs for dynamic handling, low-profile options for tight packaging, and high-tensile constructions for higher load requirements. If you’re unsure, share your deployment method and tensile/buoyancy needs and we’ll recommend the best build.

1) STFOC Disposable (Underwater Fiber Optic Cable)

A compact subsea fiber optic cable option used where a streamlined disposable build is appropriate.

Best for: short-duration deployments, trials, temporary links, controlled applications.

2) STFOC Non-Kink™ (Kink-Resistant Underwater Cable)

Designed to reduce twist-related issues during handling and field use.

Best for: dynamic deployments, winch/drum handling, repeated retrieval cycles, ROV-related operations.

3) STFOC Non-Kink™ Low Profile

A lower-profile alternative where packaging constraints demand a reduced profile without giving up field robustness.

Best for: tight routing, compact systems, space-limited housings.

4) STFOC High Tensile

For applications requiring increased tensile performance and handling strength.

Best for: higher load deployments, longer handling runs, rugged operating conditions.

Applications

Our underwater cable assemblies support a wide range of subsea platforms and deployment styles—built for harsh handling, tight bend routing, and reliable optical performance in real marine conditions. Common applications include:

  • Munitions tethers

  • ROV controls

  • Littoral water sensing

  • Subsea instrumentation and temporary communication links

  • Marine field trials and test ranges

Configure Your Underwater Cable

To speed up quoting and ensure the correct construction, configure your cable using the options below. If you’re unsure, send your deployment method (drum/winch/towed/fixed) and we’ll recommend the best build.

Step 1 — Fiber Type (code)

The optical fiber inside the cable (single-mode or multi-mode) that determines transmission distance and performance.

  • A: Singlemode Standard

  • B: Singlemode Low Bendloss

  • C: Multimode 50/125

  • D: Multimode 62.5/125

  • X: Custom

Step 2 — Jacket Type (code)

The outer cable construction that controls handling durability, kink resistance, profile size, and tensile strength for your underwater deployment.

  • A: STFOC Disposable

  • B: STFOC Non-Kink™

  • C: STFOC Non-Kink™ Low Profile

  • D: STFOC High Tensile

  • X: Custom

Step 3 — Buoyancy (code)

Buoyancy (code) defines how the underwater cable behaves in the water column—whether it sinks, stays near-neutral, or floats. Selecting the right buoyancy helps control cable routing, reduces snag risk, and improves handling during deployment and retrieval.

  • A: Negative

  • B: Neutral (SG ≈ 1.00)

  • C: Neutral (SG ≈ 1.05)

  • D: Positive

  • N: Not Applicable

Step 4 — Packaging (code)

Packaging (code) specifies how the cable is spooled/packed for deployment. The right packaging helps ensure smooth payout, reduces twist/kinks, keeps tension consistent, and fits your launcher/reel/container constraints.

  • A: Internally Deployed — 100% Precision

  • B: Externally Deployed — 100% Precision

  • C: Externally Deployed — Semi Precision

  • N: No Special Packaging

Step 5 — Packaging Dimensions (if applicable)

Packaging Dimensions are the physical size limits for the spool/reel/cartridge the cable must fit into. Provide these only if you selected Packaging A / B / C (internally or externally deployed options). This helps ensure the cable is packed for smooth payout, avoids tangling, and fits your deployment hardware.

If you select A/B/C packaging, include:

  • ID (inches), OD (inches), Length (inches)
    —or N if no special packaging.

Underwater Cable Assembly Number (Part Number Builder)

Use this format to build an assembly number:

X-X-X-XX-XX-X-X-X-X

Where the fields represent (from your datasheet):

  • Fiber Type

  • Cable Jacket

  • Buoyancy

  • Primary Jacket OD

  • Secondary Jacket OD

  • Packaging

  • Packaging Dimensions (ID/OD/Length or N)

What We Need to Quote

To provide the correct underwater cable build and price quickly, please share the details below. If you don’t have all of them, send what you know—our engineering team can recommend the best configuration.

Minimum required

  • Fiber type (A/B/C/D/X) + fiber count

  • Jacket type (A/B/C/D/X)

  • Desired buoyancy (A/B/C/D/N)

  • Target OD range (primary/secondary if applicable)

  • Length

  • Deployment method (drum/winch/towed/fixed)

  • Tensile requirement (working + max)

If known (helps a lot)

  • Depth/pressure exposure

  • Abrasion level / routing hazards

  • Termination / connector needs

 

Get a Quote or Call Us at (978) 392-7985

Datasheet Download

Download Underwater Cables Datasheet (PDF)

FAQ

What is an underwater cable?

An underwater cable is a ruggedized cable designed for subsea environments, built to handle abrasion, crush loads, bend fatigue, and underwater exposure while carrying fiber, power, or both.

What’s the difference between an underwater cable and an ROV tether?

ROV tethers are typically optimized for dynamic handling (drum cycles, bending, twist management), while some underwater cables are designed for more fixed or controlled deployments. Many projects need a mix of both.

Do you offer buoyant or neutral buoyancy underwater cable?

Yes—buoyancy options include negative, neutral (SG ~1.00 / 1.05), and positive, depending on routing needs.

What info do you need for a fast quote?

Fiber type/count, jacket selection, buoyancy choice, length, deployment method, tensile requirement, and any packaging constraints.

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