If you work with MIL-DTL-38999 circular connectors, you already know the connector itself is only half the story. The 38999 series accessories such as backshells, shield rings, and mounting flanges are what actually make the interconnect survive vibration, moisture, and years of field service. One accessory that comes up often in panel-mount and bulkhead designs is the M85049/95, and it’s worth understanding exactly what it does before you specify it.
Whether you’re a design engineer or a procurement manager sourcing accessories for a defence or railway build, knowing what the M85049/95 is, where it fits, and what to check on the datasheet will save you ample time and money.
What Is the M85049/95?
The M85049/95 is a Type 3/4 perimeter mounting flange, originally released under MIL-C-85049 (also maintained as SAE AS85049). Unlike a strain-relief backshell that clamps down on a cable, the M85049/95 is a mounting accessory: a flange that fits around the connector shell and is screwed to the panel or enclosure wall, most commonly on the connector’s 3/4 perimeter rather than a full 360° flange. It’s used with MIL-DTL-38999 Series I, II, III, and IV connectors wherever a panel-mount receptacle needs extra mechanical retention or a defined grounding path to the chassis, in addition to whatever coupling mechanism the connector itself already provides.
M85049/95 Key Specifications
| Parameter | Details |
| Specification Sheet | MIL-C-85049/95 (now SAE AS85049/95) |
| Type | Type 3/4 Perimeter Mounting Flange (backshell accessory) |
| Coupling Interface | Threaded, mates to MIL-DTL-38999 Series I, II, III & IV shell threads |
| Material | Aluminium Alloy |
| Finish | Cadmium/Olive Drab, Electroless Nickel, or Stainless Steel (per material & finish code) |
| Mounting Style | 3/4 perimeter flange, screw-mount to panel/enclosure |
| Shell Sizes Available | Full 38999 shell size range (08 through 25, per manufacturer QPL) |
| Typical Use | Panel-mount accessory for connector retention, EMI grounding, and mechanical support |
M85049/95 Dimensions — What to Check Before Specifying
Like the rest of the M85049 family, the /95 flange is produced across the full range of 38999 shell sizes, and the dimensional table in the datasheet varies flange width, screw-hole spacing, and flange thickness accordingly. Before you drop a part number onto a drawing, check:
- Shell size & class — the flange must match the connector’s shell size exactly; there is no universal-fit version
- Material & finish code — aluminium with cadmium/olive drab, electroless nickel, or stainless steel, depending on the corrosion environment
- Mounting hole pattern — perimeter screw spacing must line up with your panel cutout and adjacent hardware
- Primer coat requirement — some finish codes call out a primer coat before final plating; confirm this against your paint/plating spec
- Connector series compatibility — Series I, II, III, and IV shells have different thread and shell geometries, so confirm fitment against the exact connector series in your BOM
Getting the shell size or finish code wrong is the most common ordering mistake with 38999 accessories — the flange will often look correct on the shelf but simply won’t seat properly once it’s on the panel.
Where Is the M85049/95 Used?
As a mounting flange rather than a cable-side backshell, the M85049/95 shows up specifically wherever a 38999 connector is panel- or bulkhead-mounted and needs secure mechanical retention:
- Defence & Aerospace — avionics racks, LRU (line-replaceable unit) panels, and bulkhead pass-throughs
- Railway Signalling — trackside enclosures and control panels where connectors are exposed to constant vibration
- Ground Support Equipment — test sets and field equipment where connectors are mounted on removable panels
- Industrial & Power Systems — instrumentation enclosures requiring a defined chassis-ground path at the connector interface
Sourcing M85049/95 and 38999 Accessories in India
Because the M85049/95 is under a broader family (M85049/93 through /96 alone covers shield rings and multiple flange variants), it is easy to order the wrong. When evaluating a supplier for M85049/95 or any 38999 accessory in India, prioritise those who carry the appropriate certification, stock across the common shell sizes and finish codes, and can confirm exact slash-sheet compatibility against your connector’s series and shell size before shipping.
Looking for a specific shell size, finish, or a full 38999 accessory kit like backshells, shield rings, mounting flanges, and seal plugs?
Contact Jetronics India for a datasheet, dimensional drawing, or a custom interconnect solution tailored to your application.
