01-16-2024, 01:32 AM
The US makes some of the best optical glass in the world.
It just doesnt typically go into riflescopes.
Instead, it goes into satellites, Lasers, electro-optical military aerospace systems for displays and sensors, microscopes, cameras, medical equipment, surveying equipment, etc.
Most DoD and State contracts require US-made equipment and there is very high demand for products that civilians never see unless they are closely associated with the programs.
Most rifle scope manufacturers dont have the ability to purchase those optical glass lenses, nor could they afford many of them because the clarity and durability specifications are driven by really high performance for DoD, Aerospace, Medical, and other Instrument manufacturers. They might be able to buy some, but the cost of the scopes would rise astronomically.
So they get what they can from other sources.
Some of the DoD programs from the 1950s rival anything you see on the market now, since the optical elements needed to withstand temperature gradient extremes that would seem impossible even to most engineers today.
It just doesnt typically go into riflescopes.
Instead, it goes into satellites, Lasers, electro-optical military aerospace systems for displays and sensors, microscopes, cameras, medical equipment, surveying equipment, etc.
Most DoD and State contracts require US-made equipment and there is very high demand for products that civilians never see unless they are closely associated with the programs.
Most rifle scope manufacturers dont have the ability to purchase those optical glass lenses, nor could they afford many of them because the clarity and durability specifications are driven by really high performance for DoD, Aerospace, Medical, and other Instrument manufacturers. They might be able to buy some, but the cost of the scopes would rise astronomically.
So they get what they can from other sources.
Some of the DoD programs from the 1950s rival anything you see on the market now, since the optical elements needed to withstand temperature gradient extremes that would seem impossible even to most engineers today.
NRA Basic, Pistol, Rifle, Shotgun, RSO
CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor
6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:
www.AR15buildbox.com
CCW, CQM, DM, Long Range Rifle Instructor
6.5 Grendel Reloading Handbooks & chamber brushes can be found here:
www.AR15buildbox.com