DURYEA, Pa. (Tribune News Service) — Specialty glass inventor Schott was awarded a $2.7 million contract to supply infrared glass for U.S. Army air defense systems, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-8, Moosic, announced Wednesday at the facility.

Schott's recent order supplies infrared glass for launch tube windows, a critical component of air defense systems to the U.S. Army and its Stinger missile program, said Cartwright, who helped secure the contract.

Cartwright announced the contract on what he said was the 413th day since Russia began its invasion of Ukraine.

For more than a year, he said Ukrainian air defenses reinforced by Western weaponry have kept Russian fighter planes at bay. Because of these efforts, he said Ukrainians have been able to face the onslaught of this "evil, unprovoked aggression on their lives, their homes and their country."

"Today's announcement is good news for Ukraine and bad news for the criminal Vladimir Putin," Cartwright said. "We're going to be able to deliver even more Stinger missiles to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as we stand in solidarity with Ukraine and its people."

Schott's recent order is a result of Congressional funding to the U.S. Army. It adds to the company's existing defense contract with Raytheon Technologies, one of the largest aerospace and defense manufacturers in the world.

"Its Stinger missiles are a lightweight, self-contained air defense system that could be rapidly deployed by ground troops," Cartwright said. "It has supersonic speed, agility and a highly accurate guidance system and that has given Ukrainians an operational edge against Russian cruise missiles and all classes of Russian aircraft attacking their country."

Schott officials said they are already producing launch tube window parts for an existing order and can now extend production to further support employment at its Duryea facility.

The Duryea facility employs about 150 people and job opportunities are available, said Schott plant manager Vince Rovinski.

In addition to manufacturing specialty glass to support the U.S. Department of Defense, Rovinski said the Duryea facility produces more than 120 different types of optical glass.

Steve Sokach, Schott's director of sales, said the Duryea facility also is home of Schott's U.S. Innovation and Technology Hub where 22 scientists and engineers work to develop the "next generation of materials that will change the world."

"At Schott, we take great pride in our role in supporting the U.S. government and its defense contractors," Sokach said. "We help to advance aeropsace, avionics and defense initiatives."

Sokach, one of the Schott officials to lead a tour of the Duryea facility on Wednesday, said the infrared glass being manufactured for launch tube windows has unique properties.

"It's very durable," he said. "It transmits multiple wavelengths that will allow the guidance system in the device to select the target from a defensive posture, identify it and lock on for target acquisition and aiming purposes."

Schott's glass ceramic Zerodur has been used in space telescopes for more than 50 years as well as moon landings including the first moon mission in 1969, Sokach said, When American astronaut Neil Armstrong became the first man to walk on the moon, Schott's optical glass was used in the lenses of TV cameras. Schott also has supplied inverters for night vision goggles for more than 20 years, he said.

"This site was established in 1969 by Schott and we're still thriving today," Sokach said. "Today, we celebrate a new chapter in support of defense operations."

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