AbstractSeveral glass systems based on AIF3 have been synthesized and fabricated into preforms by controlled melting and rotational casting. High optical quality preforms have been drawn into fibers using a specially modified drawing facility. The drawing tower is enclosed with a vertical glove box in which the levels of both moisture and oxygen are kept below 1 ppm during the drawing. The AIF3 -based fibers have shown dramatically superior chemical durability relative to the ZrF4 -based glass fibers. Selected optical, mechanical and thermal properties of these fibers will be presented. AIF3 -based glass fibers offer interesting opportunities for short range applications in the 2–4 micron region of the infrared such as sensing, remote spectroscopy and laser power delivery.