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Product

Deep-water 300 kN armoured towed-array cableType DG Q-12-RAW-300300 kN MBL6,000 m Deep-Tow

Type DG Q-12-RAW-300 Armoured Deep-Water Marine Geophysical &12-quad 300 kN contra-helically armoured deep-water geophysical towed-array cable

Type DG Q-12-RAW-300 deep-water marine geophysical towed-array cable combining 12 individually screened low-capacitance star-quads, optional 316L FIMT optical core, and 300 kN contra-helical GIPS steel wire armour to 6,000 m depth.

Water-resistant
Anti-torsion braid
EMC screen
Oil-resistant
Order designation
Type DG Q-12-RAW-300
Nominal OD
20.8 mm
Weight in sea
1,405 kg/km
Safe working load
75 kN
Breaking load
300 kN
All sizes (12)
Request a quoteDatasheetWhatsApp
Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum
Designation
Q-12-RAW-300
12 Star-Quads · 300 kN Rock/Tow Armour
Breaking load
300 kN MBL
100–420 kN Type DG series range
Design depth
Up to 6,000 m
60 MPa abyssal deep-tow rating
Telemetry
12 Quads (48C)
100 Ω low-loss PiMF + optional FIMT
Rated voltage
1,000–2,500 V
DC/AC array power & telemetry feed
Torsion
≤ ±1.5°/m
Torque-balanced contra-helical GIPS

Typical values for this cable type, based on MIL-DTL-24643 / ISO 13628-5 / IEC 60794-3 — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is Type DG Q-12-RAW-300 right for your machine?

Engineered for abyssal deep-tow geophysical sleds, crust/mantle refraction arrays, and long-offset naval/scientific acoustic towed arrays.

Trailing & towing

Suitable

300 kN breaking strength and high submerged weight maintain deep-tow sled stability across 6,000–10,000 m wire-out lengths.

Vertical / spreader reel

Suitable

Preformed contra-helical RAW-300 GIPS steel armour prevents hockling during vertical deployment and recovery over stern A-frames.

Immersion & wet locations

Suitable

Void-free polyisobutylene matrix and solid/cellular PE quad insulation prevent capacitance shift at 60 MPa pressure.

Offshore platform & shipboard deck trays

Suitable

Heavy-gauge outer GIPS armour wires resist rocky continental-slope bottom contact and traction-winch bullwheels.

Energy chain / drag chain

Not suitable

300 kN steel-armoured deepwater tow cable is designed for offshore traction winches, not factory cable carriers.

Use M12 Ethernet Assembly
Typical machinesAbyssal Deep-Tow GeophysicsTowed Acoustic & Hydrophone ArraysContinental Margin Crustal SurveyDeep-Ocean Mineral ExplorationSubsea UXO & Pipeline Corridor Tow

Construction

Layer by layer

Type DG Q-12-RAW-300 architecture: 12 individually foil-screened star-quads (48 conductors) around a central power/optical core + Hytrel inner belt + double RAW-300 GIPS armour.

123456
Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data
#LayerMaterial & reference
112 precision star-quad conductors12 × 4 × 0.75 mm² (or 0.5–1.5 mm²) stranded tinned copper star-quads + central DC feeder or 316L FIMT optical unitProvides 24 balanced differential pairs with intrinsic star-quad common-mode noise rejection
2High-pressure low-loss PE dielectricHigh-density / cellular-skin polyethylene insulation (100 ± 5 Ω differential quad impedance)Maintains constant propagation velocity under 60 MPa hydrostatic compression
3Individual quad foil + overall braid100 % Al/PET tape + tinned copper drain wire on each of the 12 quads + ≥ 90 % tinned copper overall braided screenAchieves ≥ 82 dB cross-talk isolation between high-voltage array power and microvolt acoustic channels
4Pressure-compensated Hytrel/PE beltVoid-filled water-blocking compound + extruded thermoplastic elastomer (Hytrel) / HDPE inner pressure beltDistributes radial crushing forces from multi-layer traction storage reels
5Inner helical GIPS wire armourFirst layer of 2,060 MPa galvanised extra-improved plow steel (GIPS) armour wiresProvides primary axial tensile capacity for 8,000 m+ paid-out catenary weight
6Outer contra-helical RAW-300 wire armourHeavy outer layer of opposing-lay GIPS steel wires (Round Armour Wire, 300 kN nominal break class)Balances cable torque to ≤ ±1.5°/m and protects against continental-slope rock abrasion

DG Q-12-RAW-300 (Standard Bare Armour)

12 star-quads (48 conductors) with bare contra-helical 300 kN GIPS outer armour for maximum heat dissipation and minimum drag

DG Q-12-RAW-300-FO / -JK (Hybrid Optical / Jacketed)

Adds central 12-fibre 316L FIMT optical unit and optional extruded HDPE/PUR outer corrosion barrier

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on MIL-DTL-24643 / ISO 13628-5 / IEC 60794-3. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Quad differential impedance
100 ± 5 Ω (or 120 ± 6 Ω) at 1 MHz
Mutual capacitance
≤ 45 pF/m (quad pair)
Operating voltage rating
1,000 V AC/DC (quads) · up to 2,500 V (power)
Quad-to-quad NEXT
≥ 82 dB at 1 MHz
AC dielectric test
3.5 kV AC rms for 5 min

Thermal

Deepwater operating range
−5 °C to +60 °C
Deck traction winch range
−35 °C to +75 °C
Max. conductor temperature
+80 °C

Mechanical

Reference breaking load
300 kN (Q-12-RAW-300) · 100–420 kN series
Safe working load (SWL)
75 kN (Q-12-RAW-300 at 4:1 factor)
Design water depth
6,000 m (60 MPa hydrostatic)
Min. bend radius (under load)
20 × OD over traction winch & A-frame sheave
Torsional rotation
≤ ±1.5°/m at 50 % MBL

Resistance

Hydrostatic water blocking
100 % void-filled core and armour interstices
Seabed rock & slope abrasion
Heavy outer RAW GIPS plow-steel wires
Corrosion resistance
Class A hot-dip galvanised GIPS + inhibitor flush

Reference standards

Tow cable design standard
MIL-DTL-24643 / ISO 13628-5
Optical core compliance
IEC 60794-3 / ITU-T G.652.D (on -FO builds)
Conductor standard
IEC 60228 Class 5 tinned copper

Identification

Designation code
Q = Star-Quads · 12 = Quad count · RAW-300 = 300 kN Round Armour Wire
Quad identification
Numbered foil binder + TIA-598 insulated conductors
Customs tariff (HS)
8544.49 / 8544.70

Sizes

12 standard Type DG armoured deep-water geophysical towed-array configurations

Includes the flagship Type DG Q-12-RAW-300 and companion 4-quad to 24-quad RAW armoured deep-tow builds.

Dimensions, weights & breaking loads
Order designationStar-Quads + Power / Optical CoreNominal OD
mm		Weight in air
kg/km		Weight in sea
kg/km		SWL
kN		MBL
kN		Min. sheave R
mm		Enquiry
Type DG Multi-Quad Armoured Towed Array Cables (100–300 kN)
Type DG Q-04-RAW-1004 × 4×0.5 mm² Star-Quads (16C)11.451040525100228
Type DG Q-06-RAW-1506 × 4×0.5 mm² Star-Quads (24C)13.874559038150276
Type DG Q-08-RAW-2008 × 4×0.75 mm² Star-Quads (32C)16.51,08085550200330
Type DG Q-10-RAW-25010 × 4×0.75 mm² Star-Quads (40C)18.61,3901,10562250372
Type DG Q-12-RAW-30012 × 4×0.75 mm² Star-Quads (48C)20.81,7601,40575300416
Type DG Q-12-1.0-RAW-30012 × 4×1.0 mm² Star-Quads (48C Heavy)22.01,9401,54575300440
Type DG Q-16-RAW-32016 × 4×0.5 mm² Star-Quads (64C)21.61,8501,47580320432
Type DG Electro-Optical FIMT & Ultra-Heavy Towed Array Cables (300–420 kN)
Type DG Q-12-RAW-300-FO12 × 4×0.75 mm² Quads + 12FO 316L FIMT21.41,8201,45075300428
Type DG Q-12-RAW-300-JK12 × 4×0.75 mm² Quads + HDPE Outer Jacket24.01,9301,44575300480
Type DG Q-12-3P-RAW-35012 × 4×0.75 Quads + 3×4.0 mm² Power + 12FO23.82,2401,79088350476
Type DG Q-18-RAW-380-FO18 × 4×0.75 mm² Quads + 12FO 316L FIMT25.22,5102,00595380504
Type DG Q-24-RAW-420-FO24 × 4×0.5 mm² Quads + 3×4.0 + 18FO FIMT27.42,9202,330105420548
  • Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
  • Designation breakdown: Q-12 = 12 screened star-quads (24 balanced pairs / 48 wires); RAW-300 = Round Armour Wire rated to 300 kN minimum breaking load.

Quality & approvals

Testing & inspection

Routine tests on every production length, sample and type tests per batch — documented on an EN 10204 3.1 inspection certificate.

  1. ConductorClass 5 stranding
  2. Spark test100 % in-line
  3. Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
  4. SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
  5. Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
  6. DimensionsOD, wall thickness
  7. Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch
Testing & inspectionTest value / referenceFrequency
Routine tests
Star-quad impedance, capacitance unbalance & NEXT test100 ± 5 Ω, ≤ 45 pF/m, and ≥ 82 dB quad-to-quad isolationAll 12 star-quads on every length
3.5 kV AC dielectric & insulation resistance test3.5 kV AC for 5 min + ≥ 5,000 MΩ·km at 20 °C100 % of manufactured length
Sample tests
300 kN tensile break & torque-rotation testVerify ≥ 300 kN MBL and ≤ ±1.5°/m rotation at 150 kNQualification & lot sample
60 MPa hydrostatic deep-ocean pressure test24 h hold at 6,000 m equivalent pressure with live electrical/OTDR checkType approval

Inspection certificate

Issued with every drum, listing the routine test results for that length.

Product approvals

MIL-DTL-24643 / ISO 13628-5 Deep-Tow Compliant300 kN RAW-Grade Contra-Helical Armour Certified

Company certificates

ISO 9001ISO 14001ISO 45001VDE marks approvalUL / cULCE · LVD / EMC

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

TEBAOFLEX TYPE DG Q-12-RAW-300 DEEP-WATER TOWED ARRAY CABLE [YEAR] [METRE]
Delivery form
Heavy-duty steel oceanographic winch reels
Continuous length
Up to 10,000 m splice-free continuous length
Termination options
300 kN resin socket cones, fairings & wet-mate array breakouts
Lead time
6–9 weeks ex-works

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFType DG Q-12-RAW-300 Armoured Deep-Water Marine Geophysical & – technical datasheet12 sizes · construction, technical data, approvalsXLSXType DG Q-12-RAW-300 spec data (Excel)All 12 sizes with dimensions and data, for your BOM or quotation
Revision
2026-10-20
Updated
2026-10-20

FAQ

Questions engineers ask first

Not covered here? Send your drawing — an engineer replies within 2 business hours.

What does the designation Type DG Q-12-RAW-300 stand for?
Type DG denotes Deep-water Geophysical tow duty; Q-12 specifies 12 individually screened star-quad elements (providing 24 balanced differential pairs or 48 conductors); and RAW-300 indicates double contra-helical Round Armour Wire with a 300 kN (30.6 metric ton) minimum breaking load.
Why are star-quads used instead of conventional twisted pairs in Type DG Q-12-RAW-300?
A star-quad twists four conductors symmetrically around a common axis so that diagonally opposite conductors form two balanced pairs occupying the exact same magnetic centre. This cancels common-mode electromagnetic interference from high-voltage DC array power feeders and improves packing density inside the pressure belt.
Can Type DG Q-12-RAW-300 tow deep-ocean survey vehicles at 6,000 m depth?
Yes. With a submerged weight of 1,405 kg/km in seawater, an 8,000 m paid-out catenary weighs approximately 110 kN in water, leaving a large dynamic margin below the 300 kN minimum breaking load for tow drag and vessel heave.
Is a hybrid optical version available for wideband synthetic aperture sonar or seismic arrays?
Yes. Specify Type DG Q-12-RAW-300-FO, which replaces the central filler with a hermetically laser-welded 316L stainless-steel FIMT containing 12 single-mode optical fibres while retaining all 12 copper star-quads and the 300 kN GIPS wire armour.

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Type DG Q-12-RAW-300 Armoured Deep-Water Marine Geophysical &

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