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• Fully integrated melt‑to‑assembly production across the entire value chain;
• End‑to‑end optical and optomechanical capabilities, from materials and coatings to mechanical integration and military-grade testing;
• High-performance zinc sulfide (ZnS) windows developed for HENSOLDT periscope systems in modern armored vehicles.
As a leading manufacturer of optical glass in Europe, SCHOTT operates continuous, large-scale glass melting facilities and provides a fully vertically integrated supply chain from raw materials to finished solutions that meet military standards.
SCHOTT consolidates melting, precision polishing, advanced coating technologies, and mechanical integration within its operations, eliminating dependence on fragmented, multi-vendor supply chains for critical optical components. SCHOTT’s high-precision framing capabilities support adaptable large geometries, delivering consistent performance at scale. This comes at a pivotal time, as defense organizations increasingly prioritize secure sources for mission-essential technologies.
Supporting exterior systems, such as optical, infrared, and multi-sensor platforms used for surveillance or situation awareness, the company supplies assembled protective windows manufactured to meet the customer-specific design requirements. Recently, SCHOTT and HENSOLDT collaborated on the development and qualification of high-performance zinc sulfide (ZnS) protective windows for stabilized periscope systems used in modern armored vehicles.
“We required windows that combine high transmission across visible and infrared wavelengths with extreme resistance to abrasion, environmental exposure, and mechanical stress. SCHOTT delivered a fully qualified ZnS-based assembly that fulfilled all technical requirements and provides a robust interface for reliable operations,” said Reinhard Seiwerth, Strategic Procurement at HENSOLDT.
“Our products play a critical role in maintaining durable sensor performance over a system’s lifetime. By combining materials expertise, advanced coating technologies, and optomechanical integration within a single, controlled value chain, SCHOTT delivers subsystems designed for consistency, long-term operation, and a seamless transition from prototype to series production,” said Gernot Weber, Head of Sales EMEA Defense, Astro & Space and Advanced Optics at SCHOTT.
These windows serve as a first line of defense for sensitive optical and electro-optical systems, shielding critical components from dust, sand, rocks, humidity, debris, and mechanical stress. Durable anti-reflective coatings enhance scratch resistance and maintain transmission properties after exposure to abrasion, sand, salt fog, and humidity. Each unit undergoes pressure and quality assurance testing in accordance with military standards, enabling reliable deployment in applications such as periscopes, targeting systems, and other defense equipment.
With more than half a century of experience serving defense programs, SCHOTT delivers specialty glass, precision optics, and advanced coating technologies engineered for mission-critical applications across land, sea, air, and space domains.
About SCHOTT
International technology group SCHOTT (schott.com) produces high-quality components and advanced materials, including specialty glass, glass-ceramics, and polymers. Many SCHOTT products have high-tech applications that push technological boundaries, such as waveguides for augmented reality smart glasses, glass-ceramic mirror substrates in the world's largest telescopes, and laser glass in nuclear fusion research. With a pioneering spirit, SCHOTT’s 17,400 employees in over 30 countries work as partners across industries such as healthcare, home appliances, consumer electronics, semiconductors, optics, astronomy, energy, and aerospace. In fiscal year 2025, SCHOTT generated sales of EUR 2.83bn and an EBIT of EUR 230m. Founded in 1884 and headquartered in Mainz, Germany, SCHOTT is owned by the Carl Zeiss Foundation. As a foundation-owned company, SCHOTT pursues long-term innovation and conducts its business with a strong sense of social responsibility, reinvesting its success into the advancement of science and society. Learn more at SCHOTT.com
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