G&H Launches Garnet™ MWIR Supply-Resilient Germanium-free Lens Assemblies
15 May 2026
G&H (LON: GHH), a global leader in advanced photonics and optical solutions, is launching its new Garnet™ MWIR Lens Assemblies at SPIE Defense + Security 2026, introducing a Germanium-free optical solution for high-performance mid-wave infrared imaging systems.
Developed by G&H | StingRay, the Garnet™ series has been designed to help customers reduce reliance on constrained infrared materials while maintaining the optical performance required for demanding defense, surveillance, and security environments. With no Germanium or chalcogenide materials, Garnet™ supports a more resilient approach to long-term MWIR system design.
Built on the established Ruby™ platform, Garnet™ combines proven optical design experience with improved material resilience. The series delivers achromatic performance across the 3–5 µm MWIR wavelength range and is designed for compatibility with standard MWIR architectures, including f/2.3, f/2.5, and f/4.0 systems.
Germanium-Free Optics for Supply-Resilient Imaging
Infrared imaging systems used in mission-critical applications depend on optical performance, reliability, and long-term availability. As supply chain pressures continue to affect specialist infrared materials, system designers are seeking alternatives that can reduce material risk without compromising imaging capability.
The Garnet™ series addresses this challenge by eliminating the use of Germanium while maintaining the performance required for modern MWIR imaging. Its Germanium-free design provides system designers with a more supply-resilient lens option for platforms that must perform reliably in demanding operational conditions.
Designed for Mission-Critical MWIR Applications
Garnet™ MWIR Lens Assemblies have been developed for demanding infrared imaging applications where image quality, ruggedness, and system compatibility are essential.
Garnet™ is designed to support applications including:
- Intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance — ISR
Supporting MWIR imaging systems used for observation, situational awareness, and long-range surveillance. - Border security
Enabling thermal imaging capability for perimeter monitoring, border protection, and security surveillance. - Target detection and tracking
Supporting systems that need reliable infrared performance for identifying, detecting, and tracking targets in challenging environments. - Defense and security platforms
Providing mission-ready MWIR optical performance for integrated defense, surveillance, and security systems.
Core Product Features
The Garnet™ series has been designed to integrate with standard MWIR system architectures while offering a more resilient material strategy for long-term programmes.
Key features include:
- Germanium-free optical design
- No chalcogenide materials
- Achromatic performance across 3–5 µm
- Compatibility with f/2.3, f/2.5, and f/4.0 systems
- Support for up to 21 mm image formats
- Manual focus with lock
- Standard IR bayonet mount
- Focal lengths of 13, 25, 50, 100, and 200 mm
- Built on the proven Ruby™ platform
- Optimized for demanding field conditions
Supporting Long-Term Defense and Security Programmes
For defense and security system designers, material availability is an important consideration in both new product development and long-term platform support. Garnet™ provides a supply-resilient path forward for MWIR imaging systems by removing dependence on Germanium while retaining the system compatibility and optical performance required for mission-critical applications.
By combining Germanium-free optics, standard system compatibility, and proven platform heritage, Garnet™ enables customers to build more resilient infrared imaging systems for the future.
