Abstract: A lanyard release/umbilical electrical connector with a collet, a coupling ring, and a detent shell. The collet has a base, a side extending from the base to a flange-lip extending radially inward at the top of the side (when seated on the base). The flange-lip has keyways corresponding to keys on the barrel of the receptacle. The collet is divided into three separate arc lengths. The coupling ring has provisions for attaching a lanyard and an internal sloping end portion which can ride over the collet base but not the collet side. A detent shell fits partially inside the opening in the coupling ring and has keys corresponding to those on a coupling nut and a nose which can slide underneath the collet base and side. The coupling ring and detent shell are resiliently held together so that a lanyard can pull the coupling ring back over the detent shell. The collet arc lengths provide rocker action under the force of the coupling ring internal sloped end and the detent shell nose.