Comprehensive Overview of 5960-00-843-8063: Specifications, Applications, and Availability

The item listed is NSN 5960-00-843-8063 (with FSC 5960) and is categorized as an “ELECTRON TUBE.”

• Full designation: NSN 5960-00-843-8063, FSC 5960, NIIN 008438063.
• The part number (SKU) is given as 6644BL95, manufacturer cage code 88236 (which corresponds to Communications & Power Industries, often abbreviated CPI)
• The feature list includes “Envelope Material: METAL.”
• The listing indicates “DISCONTINUED-USE” and specifically mentions “DISCONTINUED W/O REPLACEMENT.”

This tells us that the component is a metal-envelope vacuum electron tube (or similar vacuum device) originally produced by CPI (or affiliated manufacturer) and that it is no longer in active production.

 

Context & Use-Case

Given the FSC 5960 (“Electron Tubes and Associated Hardware”) and the listing’s classification, this unit would likely have been used in military/defense, aerospace, or high-reliability industrial applications. Electron tubes (vacuum tubes) in such contexts often serve as high-power amplifiers, transmitters, or in radar / RF applications. The manufacturer CPI has a broad portfolio of microwave, RF, radar, and high-power vacuum device technologies.

The metal envelope suggests robust design metal-enveloped tubes are typically used when ruggedness, hermetic sealing, high-vacuum reliability, and often high voltage or high-power are required (versus glass-envelope tubes more common in consumer or lower-stress environments).

Because the part is flagged “discontinued” and “without replacement,” it also implies that this item may now be a legacy/spare-parts item. For operators maintaining older systems (military, radar, legacy communications), sourcing such tubes can be critical for sustainment of equipment.

Procurement & Sourcing Considerations

The ChipsOnSale listing provides important procurement metadata:

• It identifies the part, the NSN, manufacturer, envelope material, and status.
• It gives a “Request Quote” mechanism rather than a listed open quantity/price typical for specialized legacy components where availability can be limited.
• Because the listing shows “DISCONTINUED W/O REPLACEMENT,” potential buyers should verify: whether stock is truly available, whether the tube has been tested, whether it has shelf-life limitations (many vacuum tubes degrade with time even if unused), and what condition/qualification level (new-old-stock, over-stock, pulled units, etc).

For international buyers (say, from India, since you are in Delhi), additional considerations include import clearance, export controls (some vacuum tubes can fall under dual-use export restrictions if they are for military/RF systems), shipping of fragile/fragile-vacuum items, and whether the vendor offers documentation/tracking/qualification.

Risks & Recommendations

• Risk of Obsolescence: Since the part is marked discontinued, future replacements will likely require redesign or redesign of the system. If you acquire stock, consider buying more units than currently needed (if budget allows) for long-term support.
• Verification of Authenticity & Condition: For vacuum tubes in legacy high-reliability systems, counterfeit or degraded units are a serious concern. Ensure the vendor (ChipsOnSale) provides traceability, datasheet or specification certificate, test results, or at least visually verifies condition.
• Compatibility & Specification Match: Even though the NSN is listed, you should verify the full specifications (electrical, thermal, mechanical) of the 6644BL95 and confirm that it matches your system’s requirements (voltage, current, power, envelope size, mounting, cooling, etc). The listing gives limited detail, so you may need to contact CPI or look for archived datasheets.
• Shelf-Life & Storage: Vacuum tubes may have a limited shelf-life, particularly if sealed with getters or low out-gassing materials; long storage in improper environments (high humidity, temperature cycling) can degrade performance. Verify the storage history.
• Cost vs Risk vs Alternatives: Because of obsolescence, cost may be high. Consider whether an alternative modern device (solid-state amplifier, newer tube, etc) might offer better long-term support, though conversion may require system redesign.

Summary

In summary, NSN 5960-00-843-8063 is a metal-envelope electron tube, manufacturer CPI, designated 6644BL95, originally intended for specialist/use-military applications under FSC 5960. The component is listed as discontinued without replacement, which makes it a legacy item, likely of high importance for maintainers of older systems. When procuring such a part through ChipsOnSale or other sources you should exercise due diligence around condition, authenticity, specification, and life-cycle risk.