Schott North America has been awarded a multimillion-dollar contract from a US defence contractor for infrared glass.

The order supplies glass for launch tube windows, a component of air defence systems provided to the US Army.

Schott’s Duryea, Pennsylvania facility will manufacture the specialty glass, as it does for other products that support the US Department of Defence.

The manufacturer is already producing launch tube window parts for an existing order and will now be able to extend production and further support employment at its site in Duryea.

The contract was secured through the advocacy of Representative Matt Cartwright (pictured above), from Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district.

Schott has been working with US Department of Defence (DoD) programs since 1969 as a developer of high-tech materials and components.

The security and defence industry requires high-performance base materials and optical components to enable reliable and precise defence systems.

Christopher Cassidy, President of Schott North America, said: “Our expertise in creating specialty glass suitable for defence applications has earned the trust of the US Army and the DoD, and we’re appreciative of the chance to show why they keep turning to us.”

“This contract not only supports our production site of over 150 employees in Duryea, but also strengthens our commitment to supply the US defence and security market.”

Schott’s US Innovation and Technology Hub, also located in Duryea, continues to research and develop high-tech materials.

Its participation in basic materials research has helped create the supply of dual-use products for both civilian and military applications.

The company's glass ceramic ZERODUR has been used in space telescopes since 1968, and Schott has supported NASA’s lunar missions with optical lenses for cameras since the early 1960s.