A robust fiber optic cable, which is well suited for harsh environments,
such as undersea environments when attached as a tether to a mobile
undersea vehicle includes an optical fiber loosely surrounded by an inner
containment tube. A suspension fluid is disposed between the inner
containment tube and the optical fiber. A plurality of strength members
surrounds the inner containment tube, and an outer jacket surrounds said
plurality of strength members. In preferred embodiments, the outer jacket
is bonded to the strength members and/or the inner containment tube.