Specialty glass components for defense and security
SCHOTT produces high-quality components and advanced materials, including specialty glass, glass-ceramics, and hermetic packages. With a relentless focus on advancing material performance and precision, we support the defense industry as a high-tech component supplier, helping to improve the reliability and effectiveness of military and security equipment, especially when failure is not an option. Our products are an integral part of defense forces around the world, enabling applications such as augmented reality, infrared systems, and protective windows.
Glass components built for defense missions – by land, by sea, by air, and beyond.
Our products support critical defense applications across every domain — from ground and naval systems to airborne, dismounted, and even space-based operations. Thanks to our innovative technologies and the highest quality standards, we can deliver customized glass components that meet the most demanding requirements. Fields of application include, among others: protection, night vision, sighting, information and control, aiming and observation, and surveillance.Applications
By land
Precision optics and protection for ground-based operations
SCHOTT provides specialty glass components that enhance the performance and resilience of ground vehicles, optics, and electronic systems. Whether mounted in armored platforms or integrated into mobile dismounted sighting systems, our materials are trusted to perform under tough conditions.
SCHOTT provides specialty glass components that enhance the performance and resilience of ground vehicles, optics, and electronic systems. Whether mounted in armored platforms or integrated into mobile dismounted sighting systems, our materials are trusted to perform under tough conditions.
Key capabilities
- Flexible Imaging Bundles: Designed to improve, enhance, magnify, and transfer images from remote locations – both inside and outside the vehicle.
- Sighting Systems: Day/night periscopes for thermal imaging from short-wave infrared to long-wave infrared and laser protective filters to protect the human eye and sensory systems.
- Hermetic windows and lens caps: SCHOTT’s “1-inch caps” enable unmatched precision and reliability for optical range finders.
On foot
Tactical imaging and vision systems for dismounted forces
Portable systems demand lightweight, rugged, and power-efficient optics. SCHOTT’s compact imaging and fiber optic solutions enhance field operability for soldiers on foot.
Portable systems demand lightweight, rugged, and power-efficient optics. SCHOTT’s compact imaging and fiber optic solutions enhance field operability for soldiers on foot.
Key capabilities
- IRG material for thermal imaging and night vision devices: Transmission from short-wave infrared to long-wave infrared enabling high image quality.
- Fiber optic inverters: Used to invert intensified images in night vision goggles, providing a rugged, compact solution without the need for lens assemblies.
- SCHOTT® LightView packages: Used in laser-based light engines for AR, to enable high brightness and resolution while protecting sensitive RGB laser chips.
- Night‑vision optics: High‑purity, super-white glass windows and blanks deliver exceptional clarity and low‑light performance for precise optics.
By air
High-precision optics and protection for aerospace missions
Airborne systems require materials that combine durability, light weight, and optical performance. SCHOTT components ensure mission success in avionics, sensors, and aircraft-mounted systems.
Airborne systems require materials that combine durability, light weight, and optical performance. SCHOTT components ensure mission success in avionics, sensors, and aircraft-mounted systems.
Key capabilities
- Radar system components: Hermetic microelectronic packages protect critical components such as RF modules, high-frequency electronics, sensors, semiconductors, and power components.
- Components for head-up displays: Combiners and aspherical lenses engineered for precise optical imaging in all critical situations.
- Flexible light guides: Used to transmit sensor data for turbine and tank monitoring, as well as to illuminate the cockpit.
- Hermetic microelectronic packages for laser warning systems: Used for central sensor units with fiber optic coupling to the point of detection.
- For optical range finders: SCHOTT’s “1-inch caps” enable unmatched precision and reliability.
By sea
Engineered for extreme pressure and maritime performance
Naval vessels demand materials that endure pressure, saltwater corrosion, and thermal shock. SCHOTT delivers advanced glass components tailored for submarines, surface ships, and naval sensors.
Naval vessels demand materials that endure pressure, saltwater corrosion, and thermal shock. SCHOTT delivers advanced glass components tailored for submarines, surface ships, and naval sensors.
Key capabilities
- Periscope windows: Protective windows with coatings for extremely harsh environments.
- Eternaloc® submarine penetration assemblies: Used in nuclear-powered maritime vessels to safely conduct electricity and data signals through protective walls of reactor compartments.
- Light guide rods: Used as structured carriers for high frequency/GMDSS antenna layouts.
In space
Space-qualified materials for satellite systems and beyond
SCHOTT materials meet the most stringent standards for satellite communications, imaging, and environmental durability in space. Our products are trusted in both civil and defense-oriented space platforms.
SCHOTT materials meet the most stringent standards for satellite communications, imaging, and environmental durability in space. Our products are trusted in both civil and defense-oriented space platforms.
Key capabilities
- Components for satellite communications: Enabling high-speed, large-capacity communication through laser light data transfer.
- Flexible imaging bundles: Used for optical level sensing in fuel tanks.
- High-frequency packages: Used in SATCOM systems to protect vital components such as RF amplifiers, signal processors, and HF-electronics, enabling reliable data transmission.
- SCHOTT Solar Glass: Radiation‑hard SCHOTT Solar Glass serves as both durable cover glass for photovoltaic cells and a high‑emittance substrate for optical solar reflectors, securing reliable power and thermal control on long‑duration missions.
Materials
Cross-domain solutions
Integrated technologies for complex, multi-platform missionsSome challenges span all domains. SCHOTT’s cross-domain portfolio includes advanced glass materials, hermetic sealing, and optomechanical systems customized to meet diverse application needs.
Key capabilities
- Protective windows: SCHOTT offers complete optomechanical sub-assemblies such as framed and coated windows.
- Sighting systems: Fiber optic imaging components and sub-assemblies guide images over a distance and around corners and magnify, reduce, or invert them.
- Radar system components: SCHOTT’s high-performance RF packages provide hermetic protection for sensitive radar electronics while enabling high-frequency signal integrity up to 80 GB/s.
- Glass materials for transparent armor: Special float glass from SCHOTT ensures the protection of military personnel under the most extreme conditions.
- Laser range finders: SCHOTT produces standard and customized laser glass ideal for precision distance measurement in all environmental conditions.
Material solutions and technologies
Our extensive portfolio of specialty materials is designed to meet the rigorous demands of the defense industry. From high-performance optical glass to hermetic glass-to-metal sealing, we offer a wide range of innovative solutions tailored to your needs. With decades of expertise and cutting-edge manufacturing capabilities, we ensure precision, durability, and reliability in every material we provide. Explore how our materials can enhance the performance and resilience of your defense applications.Optical substrates
SCHOTT delivers high-performance optomechanical sub-assemblies, including framed and coated windows. Our polished, reinforced optical substrates, such as glass, undergo precise framing, sealing, coating, and rigorous pressure testing – ensuring exceptional durability and reliability.The frames are mission-ready for defense applications like periscopes.
Glass optical fibers
SCHOTT’s glass optical fibers enable various defense applications where images or light must be transmitted over distances ranging from millimeters to meters. They can be made into flexible and rigid products, commonly referred to as guides or cables. Regardless of the type you need, we offer expert assistance in selecting the ideal fiber types, end terminations, and sheathing to ensure optimal performance.The areas of application range from light transmission for turbine and fuel monitoring to image transmission for night vision goggles.
Special float glass
With its low density and high mechanical strength, BOROFLOAT® 33 offers a well-balanced combination of lightness and robustness. These properties make it an excellent choice for ballistic protection systems, enabling the development of bullet-resistant laminates with reduced weight or enhanced resistance to ballistic impact.
Hermetic packaging
SCHOTT’s hermetic packages enable reliable protection of sensitive electronics, even in the most demanding operating conditions. They provide reliable power and signal transmission for peak performance in critical applications. Whether for radar systems, laser range finders, or gyroscopic systems, our components provide the durability required for mission success.
Discover the range of applications SCHOTT serves by exploring further details here:
Innovation and excellence in specialty glass at SCHOTT
With over 140 years of experience, SCHOTT offers customers access to rare and refined expertise in high-performance materials. As the only optical glass melter in the Western Hemisphere, we ensure unmatched supply chain reliability, deep scientific know-how, and military-grade quality, so your systems can perform when it matters most.Why SCHOTT
Why defense customers choose SCHOTT
Stable supplier
Reliable supply for your applications.
Scalable solutions
Scale your vision without limits.
Strong R&D support
Utilize our network of leading material experts.
Consulting from day one
Long-term partner for your continued success.
Contact
Ready to collaborate?
Have a question or need a custom solution? Our global team is ready to support your mission from concept to deployment.
