1961
Polaris
Corning supplied thick windows of fused silica to protect optical elements on submarine periscopes. The Polaris missile program (1961-1996) used nuclear-powered submarines to launch missiles from within the water. Fused silica was able to resist the extreme pressure of ocean depths.
1962
Submarine Windows
Corning began using fused silica to make submarine periscope head windows for the United States Navy, certifying fused silica as a sub-safe material. Corning has also supplied fused silica for submarine port windows.
1963
Evolved Seasparrow Missile Block II
In 2013, Corning made its first domes for the anti-air missile Evolved Seasparrow Missile (ESSM) Block II. Production on the ESSM Block II began in 2019.
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