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 +200°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 R connectors are intended for use in environment resisting applications where the operating temperature range of −55°C to +200°C is experienced.

b. Class H connectors are intended applications requiring hermetic sealed applications.

c. 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.