Kopin has secured an $18.6-million US Army award to develop color MicroLED displays for soldiers and pilots, bringing its total funding under the program to $34 million.
The sole-source award funds two additional display configurations for ground troops and pilots, while supporting US-based MicroLED manufacturing.
The new displays are intended for military visual systems that need high brightness, low power consumption, and durability. Potential applications include soldier-worn displays, pilot heads-up displays, weapon sights, and helmet-mounted systems.
Kopin CEO Michael Murray said the funding will help the company develop displays for specific army equipment and missions. The company did not disclose a delivery schedule or identify the systems that will use the new configurations.
Kopin’s US Footprint
Kopin is expanding its defense technology portfolio, with recent contracts and development milestones covering soldier vision systems, thermal imaging, and drone goggles.
In July, the Massachusetts-based company reached three development milestones under a US Army-backed program to develop full-color MicroLED displays for soldier-worn vision systems. The technology is intended to support digital overlays and situational awareness for troops in the field.
In May, Kopin secured a $21.5-million contract for thermal imaging assemblies used in a portable US military weapon system. The deal covers custom eyepiece assemblies for an unnamed defense contractor. Kopin will supply the microdisplays, optics, drive electronics, and ruggedized housings used to help troops detect and identify targets during day and night operations.
Earlier, in April, the company received an initial $3.2-million contract to supply optical modules for a next-generation first-person-view drone goggle system. The deal marked Kopin’s entry into the drone sector and supports a program with potential deliveries of up to 40,000 units by 2028 to an unnamed partner.
