Axsys Technologies Inc. of Rocky Hill, Conn., has received an $18.6 million contract from Ball Aerospace and Technology Corp. of Boulder, Colo., to produce beryllium optical substrates for the James Webb Space Telescope, which is expected to be launched in 2011 as a replacement for the Hubble as NASA's primary telescope.

The contract includes the production of optical substrates for an engineering development unit, for 18 primary mirror segments and for support structures. The company intends to complete the unit in the first quarter of 2005 and to deliver the segments by the end of 2006.

Under another order totaling $3.3 million, Axsys will supply infrared zoom lens assemblies for use on an upgraded forward-looking infrared camera for an air defense system. The contract covers production through April 2005.