All connectors and contacts covered by this specification are intended for use in airborne, ground support, and shipboard electrical and electronic equipment where presence of residual magnetism must be held to very low levels to avoid interference with nearby sensitive instrumentation. The connectors and contacts covered by this specification are military unique because they must be able to operate at high altitude (70,000 feet (21.34 km) maximum), operate at a temperature range of -55°C to +125°C, withstand 48 hours of salt spray (without exposure of base metals, pitting and porosity of finishes), and 100 g's of shock with no electrical discontinuities. Commercial electronic connectors and contacts are not designed to withstand such extreme and sudden environmental conditions and would experience catastrophic failure.

a. Class G connectors are intended for use in non-environment resisting applications where the operating temperature range of -55°C to +125°C is experienced. Crimp contact connectors have the additional advantage of possessing rear removable crimp type contacts.

b. Class P connectors are intended for environmental resisting applications where sealing around wires is accomplished by potting.

c. Class E connectors are intended for environmental resisting applications. Provisions are made for sealing around wire at rear of connectors. Crimp contact connectors have the advantage of possessing rear release crimp type contacts.

d. Class S connectors are supplied with nonremovable solder post termination's. This connector is intended for use with flexible printed circuits conforming to the pin pattern and thread inserts are provided for securing printed circuit to rear of connector.

e. Class SE connectors are supplied with nonremovable solder post termination and interfacial seal. They are for use with the same circuitry as the class S connectors.

f. All classes of connectors are for use in applications wherein presence of residual magnetism must be held to very low levels to avoid interference with nearby sensitive instrumentation.