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Mars 2020 Perseverance rover imageMars 2020 Perseverance rover image courtesy of NASA©️ NASA

Aerospace and defense optics and optical systems for mission-critical applications

Our leadership in supporting mission-critical applications with high-performance optical components, modules, and subassemblies has established G&H as a preferred supplier for leading aerospace and defense contractors around the globe. Our technology and expertise in optical design and manufacture have helped advance programs and missions in several key application areas.

A world leader in aerospace and defense optics

Imaging optics

Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and other airborne platforms gather more image data more quickly during ever-longer flight times. G&H’s precision optical components and advanced lens assemblies enable optimal FOV and resolution for short, mid- and longwave infrared imagers, making them critical elements in aerospace and defense platforms used for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Our SWIR lens assemblies are also used in monitoring directed energy weapons performance.

Photonic components for directed energy

The speed and precision that photonics technology enables is instrumental for the directed energy weapons (DEW) applied to missile defense. With decades of close collaboration with prime defense contractors and avionics manufacturers, G&H brings the exacting design and manufacturing expertise required for the fiber optics, electric-optic modulators, and sights and windows that help ensure DEW platforms perform reliably.

Target designation and rangefinder optics

Target designation and rangefinding tasks necessitate uncompromising accuracy and reliability under the most demanding conditions, whether they involve an integrated warfighter operating in the fog of battle or a missile targeting system with milliseconds to lock onto a target. The optical coatings and opto-mechanical lens assemblies produced by G&H not only ensure consistently reliable performance for these aerospace and defense systems but can also help reduce size, weight, and power demands to support greater portability and wider deployment.

Optics-based gyroscopes for navigation

G&H is a leading designer and manufacturer of precision optical components, pump lasers, and fiber-optic couplers for inertial navigation systems used in avionics and defense. Whether the application calls for a ring laser gyroscope for airborne or maritime navigation or a fiber-optic gyro to guide the flight of a missile or UAV, G&H offers proven expertise in the development of both legacy and emerging inertial platforms when it comes to aerospace and defense optics.

Space photonics

Space-based platforms must deliver uncompromised signal transmission and reliability in supremely harsh environments. Space-qualified optical components, lens assemblies, and subsystems from G&H deliver consistently excellent connectivity and bandwidth for intrasatellite and satellite-to-ground communications. Our expertise in fiber optics and photonic signal processing is also increasingly leveraged to enhance the sensing capabilities for systems monitoring earth and space environmental conditions. G&H is at the forefront of developing lower SWAP-C photonics modules for this emerging market.

Infrared countermeasures

As anti-missile countermeasures shift from expendable solutions toward on-demand, near-unlimited infrared emitters, defense contractors are exploring innovative fiber-optic and lens assembly solutions from G&H. Our photonic components also enable new airborne and marine systems that offer stronger defenses in electronic warfare scenarios while delivering lower weight, higher bandwidth, and improved detection capabilities.

Periscopes and sighting systems

A trusted provider of periscopes and sighting systems, G&H continues to enhance the intelligence gathering and situational awareness of armored fighting vehicles. In addition, our innovations in shortwave infrared and advanced optical coatings are driving the development of cutting-edge sighting solutions for airborne platforms and lidar systems.

Your source for mission-critical aerospace and defense optics

High mix and high value: As a leading program partner for prime contractors and a global supplier of proven optical solutions for aerospace, avionics, and defense, G&H can help ensure your mission-critical systems perform reliably and to expectations. To learn more about our aerospace and defense optics, contact us.

Solutions

Aerospace and defense solutions

G&H designs and manufactures submodules and module assemblies according to customer specifications.