Corning improves aerospace and defense capabilities
through collaboration
Recognized as a world leader in materials, finishing, and coating, Specialty Materials combines a diverse array of capabilities to provide state-of-the-art optical solutions to its customers. Leveraging the division's full suite of capabilities, the Aerospace and Defense team is truly unique. Going to market as Specialty Materials-Aerospace and Defense, rather than individual businesses, provides an opportunity to present one face to the customer and capitalize on the Corning name.
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Aluminum dual band telescope developed at Corning's
Keene facility.
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"Each of our plants have unique skill sets that, when combined, enable us to offer the customer superior optical solutions," said Scott Flint, commercial manager for Corning Specialty Materials-Aerospace and Defense. "Canton produces fused silica and fluoride crystals and has a rich heritage in space and ground-based astronomy. Keene brings strong relationships within the A&D community and provides expertise in single-point diamond turning. And, in Fairport we offer excellence in optical design and advanced metrology.
"Combining these capabilities with Corning innovation, including some of the world's best technical resources, we offer our key customers complete optical solutions," said Flint.
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Precision lens assembly manufactured at Corning's Fairport facility.
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One of the business' recent successes is the manufacturing of optical sensors for aircraft defense systems, which protect against portable shoulder-launched missiles. The system is used to detect specific wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation given off by missile exhaust. The system cues and initiates defensive countermeasures such as flares, chaff or lasers to protect an aircraft by diverting or destroying the missile.
These optical sensors are currently used on U.S. military aircraft and are being considered for use by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security as a missile warning system on commercial airliners.
To produce these sensors, the business pulled on the collective capabilities of its facilities in Canton, N.Y., Fairport, N.Y. and Keene N.H., as well as technical resources from Sullivan Park.
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HPFS® glass material produced at Corning's Canton facility.
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Employees at Corning's Canton facility used their materials expertise to produce fused silica for the optical elements and fluoride crystals for the filters used in the optical sensors. At the Fairport location, specialized optical coatings were developed. Additionally, optics, filters and mechanics for the sensors were fabricated, assembled and tested. Commercial leadership and coordination was provided at a division level. Program management and engineering support was provided by the groups in Keene.
For Specialty Materials, future collaboration will not only include partnering with the various businesses within the division, but working with other businesses across the company to fully leverage and promote Corning's unique products and processes.