Abstract: A hold-down and release apparatus for a flight termination system having a terminal portion for holding-down and releasing a structural object which has an arrangement for attaching to the flight termination system. The hold-down and release apparatus includes several movable clamping segments provided on the terminal portion of the flight termination system that are engageable in a complimentary fashion with the attachment arrangement on the structural object for releasably attaching the structural object to the flight termination system. The hold-down and release apparatus also includes springs for biasing the movable clamping segments means in a disengaging direction that causes the clamping segments to disengage from the attachment arrangement on the structural object to release the structural object from the flight termination system.

Abstract: A connector assembly which includes conventional components that are well known in the connector assembly field but which includes within it an improved ceramic deadface which is located at a front face plate on an interior portion of the connector assembly. If the connector is separated so that the deadface is exposed, then in the event that location with the deadface exposed faces an area of extreme high temperature, the deadface preserves the connector assembly and prevents internal components including plugs and wires from being destroyed or melted. The connector assembly involves the incorporation of a novel ceramic deadface on the interior portion of the connector assembly which is able to withstand extreme high temperatures.