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Product

subsea umbilical, ROV tether & oceanographic tow cable Naval VDS / Heavy Armoured EO600 V – 1,500 V (-30 to +80 °C)Streamlined Low-Drag Outer Sheath

Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Low-Drag Electro-Optical Tow CableNaval VDS / Heavy Armoured EO — 600 V – 1,500 V — -30 to +80 °C Subsea & Offshore Cable

Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Low-Drag Electro-Optical Tow Cable featuring optical fiber unit (sm/mm) and streamlined low-drag outer sheath (Naval VDS / Heavy Armoured EO, 600 V – 1,500 V, -30 to +80 °C).

Water-resistant

EMC screen

Oil-resistant

Approved

Configuration

Order designation: VDS Armoured Tow 4–12F EOM/Sub
Outer Ø ≈: 8.2 mm
Net weight ≈: 260 kg/km
Tensile rating ≈: 48.0 kN
Core / stranding: Laser-welded SS FIMT + Steel/Aramid Armour

All sizes (3)

Request a quote Datasheet WhatsApp info@tebaoflex.com

Engineering reply in 2 business hoursCut-to-length export drumsEN 10204 3.1 certificate per drum

Rated voltage: 600 V – 1,500 V
Operating temp.: −30…+80 °C
Min. bend radius: 12 × OD
Core / conductor: Optical Fiber Un
Outer protection: Streamlined Low-
Standard: Naval VDS / Heav

Typical values for this cable type, based on Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification — confirmed in the datasheet and quotation for your order.

Application fit

Is VDS Armoured Tow right for your machine?

Immersion & wet locations

Suitable

Hydrolysis-resistant polyurethane (PUR) or HDPE jacket and water-blocked core withstand continuous deepwater hydrostatic immersion.

Vertical / spreader reel

Suitable

Torque-balanced contra-helical steel wire armour or high-modulus aramid strength member supports dynamic winch deployment without hockling

Trailing & towing

Suitable

Abrasion-resistant outer sheath and high working-load strength elements handle dynamic marine towing, buoy mooring and ROV excursion.

Offshore platform & shipboard deck trays

Suitable

UV-stabilised, oil- and seawater-resistant construction withstands A-frame sheaves, traction winches and open research-vessel decks.

Energy chain / drag chain

Not suitable

Subsea umbilical, ROV tether and towed array cables are not designed for indoor factory automation drag chains.

Use M23 Servo Assembly

Typical machinesUnderwater & Ocean ExplorationOceanographic CTD, ADCP & Deep-Tow SurveysWork-Class & Observation ROV / AUV SystemsSide-Scan Sonar, SAS & Towed Hydrophone ArraysMarine 2D/3D/UHR Seismic Streamers & OBC

Construction

Layer by layer

Shown: VDS Armoured Tow (Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification) featuring optical fiber unit (sm/mm), vds transmitter power & data pairs and streamlined low-drag outer sheath (4-layer construction).

Schematic, not to scale — generated from the layer data

#	Layer	Material & reference
1	Optical Fiber Unit (SM/MM)	Central stainless-steel tube housing single-mode and multi-mode fibers
2	VDS Transmitter Power & Data Pairs	Tinned copper cross-linked polyolefin power cores + shielded data pairs
3	Torque-Balanced Multi-Layer Steel Armour	Contra-helical high-tensile alloy steel wire armour layers
4	Streamlined Low-Drag Outer Sheath	Abrasion-resistant polymeric fairing jacket reducing tow strumming

VDS Armoured Tow — Standard Subsea & Offshore Execution

Built to Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification with optical fiber unit (sm/mm) and streamlined low-drag outer sheath

VDS Armoured Tow — Custom Continuous Winch / Reel Length

Available in custom continuous subsea winch, tow or seabed lengths with water-blocked terminations

VDS Armoured Tow — Hydrostatic, Tensile & Routine Certified

Supplied with EN 10204 3.1 routine dielectric, optical OTDR / DC resistance & tensile test report

Technical data

Ratings & operating limits

Typical values: Typical values for this cable type, based on Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification. Values for your order are confirmed in the datasheet and quotation.

Electrical

Rated voltage / transmission duty: 600 V – 1,500 V (Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification)
Core / conductor construction: Optical Fiber Unit (SM/MM) — Central stainless-steel tube housing single-mode and multi-mode fibers
Primary dielectric / buffering: VDS Transmitter Power & Data Pairs — Tinned copper cross-linked polyolefin power cores + shielded data pairs

Thermal

Continuous operating temperature: −30…+80 °C (subsea & offshore duty)
Hydrostatic & thermal stability: Verified thermal and hydrostatic stability per Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification
Storage & transport temperature: −40…+80 °C on export wooden/steel winch reel

Mechanical

Outer protection / armouring: Streamlined Low-Drag Outer Sheath — Abrasion-resistant polymeric fairing jacket reducing tow strumming
Minimum bending radius: 12 × OD
Armour, strength member & mechanical duty: Torque-Balanced Multi-Layer Steel Armour — Contra-helical high-tensile alloy steel wire armour layers

Resistance

Seawater, hydrostatic & hydrolysis resistance: Engineered for continuous seawater immersion, pressure cycling and hydrolysis resistance per Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification
Oil, drilling mud & abrasion resistance: Resistant to marine hydraulic oils, salt mist, winch sheave wear and seabed abrasion per Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification
RoHS & REACH compliance: RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU + 2015/863) & REACH SVHC compliant

Reference standards

Governing standard: Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification
Environmental & test standards: IEC 60228 / IEC 60794 / ITU-T G.972 / IEEE 1580 / EN 10204
Quality management & inspection: ISO 9001:2015 & EN 10204 3.1 factory routine inspection

Identification

Model designation: VDS Armoured Tow
Sheath colour & metre marking: Continuous metre-marked black outer finish (Streamlined Low-)
Customs tariff (HS): 8544.49 / 8544.60 / 8544.70

Sizes

3 standard VDS Armoured Tow subsea & offshore configurations

Manufactured to Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification for subsea, oceanographic, ROV, seismic and offshore applications.

Dimensions, tensile load & weights
Order designation	Configuration	Core / stranding	Outer Ø ≈ mm	Net weight ≈ kg/km	Breaking / tensile kN ≈	Min. bend R mm
VDS Armoured Tow Construction Schedule (−30…+80 °C)
VDS Armoured Tow 4–12F EOM/Sub	4–12 × ITU-T G.652D / G.654E SM (+ Power)	Laser-welded SS FIMT + Steel/Aramid Armour	8.2	260	48.0	125
VDS Armoured Tow 24–48F EOM/Sub	24–48 × ITU-T G.652D / G.654E SM (+ Power)	Laser-welded SS FIMT + Contra-Helical Steel	17.5	680	120.0	260
VDS Armoured Tow 96–192F Trunk	96–192 × ITU-T G.654E / G.652D Submarine	SS Tube + Steel Vault + Cu Tube + DA Armour	28.0	1,650	300.0	420

Typical values for this cable type; dimensions and weights for your order are confirmed in the quotation.
Custom core cross-sections, pair/fibre counts, armour breaking loads and continuous winch/seabed lengths available per Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification.

Electrical, optical & thermal parameters
Configuration	Max. DC R₂₀ / Atten. Ω/km or dB/km	Rating / Impedance	Operating temp.
4–12 × ITU-T G.652D / G.654E SM (+ Power)	0.35	≤0.35 dB/km @ 1310 nm	−30…+80 °C
24–48 × ITU-T G.652D / G.654E SM (+ Power)	0.21	≤0.21 dB/km @ 1550 nm	−30…+80 °C
96–192 × ITU-T G.654E / G.652D Submarine	0.18	≤0.18 dB/km @ 1550 nm	−30…+80 °C

Every production length undergoes routine conductor DC resistance, high-voltage dielectric or OTDR continuity and dimensional verification.

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.

ConductorClass 5 stranding
Spark test100 % in-line
Lay-upCores, earth, fillers
SheathingInner, braid / screen, outer
Electrical testsAC voltage, resistance
DimensionsOD, wall thickness
Inspection documents & dispatchDrum & dispatch

Testing & inspection	Test value / reference	Frequency
Routine tests
Conductor resistance, optical OTDR continuity & dimensional verification (Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification)	DC resistance at 20 °C / optical attenuation and outer diameter within Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification tolerances	Every manufactured drum length
High-voltage dielectric & insulation resistance test (Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification)	Zero dielectric breakdown and verified insulation resistance for 600 V – 1,500 V rating	Every manufactured drum length
Sample tests
Hydrostatic pressure, tensile breaking load & water-blocking qualification (Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification)	Verified subsea pressure integrity, torque-balanced tensile performance and thermal stability across −30…+80 °C	Type qualification & periodic lot audit

Inspection certificate

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

Product approvals

Naval VDS / Heavy Armoured EO CompliantEN 10204 3.1 Factory Test CertificateCE, RoHS 2 (2011/65/EU) & REACH

Company certificates

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

Marking & supply

Ordering & delivery

Sheath marking

TEBAOFLEX VDS Armoured Tow Naval VDS / Heavy Armoured EO 600 V – 1,500 V CE

Delivery form: Heavy-duty export fumigated wooden drums, steel oceanographic winch reels or submarine turntables
Standard lengths: 500 m, 1,000 m, 3,000 m, 6,000 m or custom continuous subsea lengths
MOQ: 100 m (standard configurations) · 500 m (custom subsea builds)
Lead time: 2–6 weeks ex-works
Incoterms: EXW, FCA, FOB, CIF, DAP

Technical documents

Downloads

PDFVariable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Low-Drag Electro – technical datasheet3 sizes · construction, technical data, approvals XLSXVDS Armoured Tow spec data (Excel)All 3 sizes with dimensions and data, for your BOM or quotation

Revision: 2026-10-26
Updated: 2026-10-26

FAQ

Questions engineers ask first

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

What governing standard and construction define VDS Armoured Tow (Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Low-Drag Electro-Optical Tow Cable)?

VDS Armoured Tow (Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Low-Drag Electro-Optical Tow Cable) is manufactured in accordance with Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification for 600 V – 1,500 V service over -30 to +80 °C. Its 4-layer construction comprises optical fiber unit (sm/mm), vds transmitter power & data pairs and streamlined low-drag outer sheath.

What is the minimum bending radius and operating temperature range for VDS Armoured Tow?

The minimum bending radius for VDS Armoured Tow is 12 × OD across its continuous operating temperature range of -30 to +80 °C, ensuring mechanical, hydrostatic and dielectric reliability in subsea and offshore service.

How are the concentric layers of VDS Armoured Tow arranged from inside to outside?

From inside to outside, the construction sequence is: (01) Optical Fiber Unit (SM/MM) — Central stainless-steel tube housing single-mode and multi-mode fibers; (02) VDS Transmitter Power & Data Pairs — Tinned copper cross-linked polyolefin power cores + shielded data pairs; (03) Torque-Balanced Multi-Layer Steel Armour — Contra-helical high-tensile alloy steel wire armour layers; (04) Streamlined Low-Drag Outer Sheath — Abrasion-resistant polymeric fairing jacket reducing tow strumming.

What factory test certificates are supplied with VDS Armoured Tow?

Every production drum of VDS Armoured Tow undergoes routine conductor resistance/OTDR continuity, high-voltage dielectric and dimensional testing per Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Electro-Optical Tow Specification, and is delivered with an EN 10204 3.1 factory test certificate.

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Your selection and application details are copied into the enquiry form below.

01Selected sizes

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03Message for our engineers

Variable Depth Sonar (VDS) Multi-Layer Steel-Armoured Low-Drag Electro-Optical Tow Cable

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