Kopin Secures Transformative $15.4M Award to Revolutionize Color MicroLED Technology and Domestic Production for U.S. Army Ground Soldier Integrated Visual Augmented Reality Applications
Funded by the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, the award reinforces support for U.S. based manufacturing and innovation of Kopin's Color MicroLED
Conference call and webcast scheduled for 9:15 am ET today to discuss this and further corporate updates
Kopin Corporation (NASDAQ:KOPN), a pioneering leader in application-specific optical systems and high-performance microdisplays, has been awarded a transformative $15.4 million Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) through the U.S. Army Contracting Command (ACC) under the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. This landmark award accelerates Kopin's development of ultra-bright, full-color MicroLED displays optimized for ground soldier augmented reality (AR) applications, positioning the company as a cornerstone of America's defense innovation and domestic manufacturing ecosystem. By advancing daytime and nighttime readable AR display technology, Kopin is poised to redefine battlefield vision systems, enhancing soldier lethality, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness.
A Transformational Game-Changer for Kopin and U.S. Defense
This award marks a pivotal moment for Kopin, solidifying its leadership in MicroLED technology and establishing a robust U.S.-based production capability for this critical defense technology. The funding empowers Kopin to develop full-color MicroLED microdisplays tailored for Integrated Visual AR systems, delivering unmatched performance in diverse lighting conditions—from intense daylight to low-visibility environments. Unlike traditional displays, MicroLED offers superior brightness, power efficiency, and durability, eliminating temporal artifacts that can impair soldier performance during prolonged use. This breakthrough technology ensures crystal-clear visuals, enabling warfighters to maintain focus and make critical decisions in high-stress combat scenarios.
By investing in scalable, U.S.-based manufacturing, Kopin is strengthening the nation's defense industrial base, ensuring a secure and reliable supply chain for advanced display technologies. This domestic production capability not only supports current U.S. Army needs but also positions Kopin to win future defense programs that rely on full-color MicroLED for next-generation AR systems. The company's Class 10 cleanroom facility in the United States, combined with over 40 years of experience and more than 400,000 defense vision systems fielded, underscores Kopin's unmatched reliability and expertise as a trusted partner to the U.S. military.
Strategic Synergy for Future Defense Programs
The IBAS award builds on Kopin's ongoing Soldier Display Trade Study and Phase 2 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract for an Off-the-Visor (OTV) extended reality (XR) prototype. Together, these initiatives create a powerful synergy, positioning Kopin at the forefront of soldier-centric AR innovation. The full-color MicroLED technology developed under this award will enable AR systems that deliver unparalleled clarity and usability, day or night, meeting the rigorous demands of modern warfare. We believe this award positions Kopin as a frontrunner for future U.S. defense contracts that prioritize advanced AR solutions for enhanced soldier performance.
"This is a transformative moment in Kopin's history and growth trajectory as this contract and the expected follow-on non-dilutive infrastructure investment contracts will be the bedrock which we build the next decade of foundational innovations upon. Kopin's expertise in MicroLED technology, coupled with our domestic manufacturing capabilities, is transforming how America's warfighters see and interact with the battlefield," said Michael Murray, CEO, President, and Chairman of Kopin. "This award is a testament to our ability to deliver cutting-edge, soldier-centric solutions that enhance lethality and situational awareness. By integrating insights from our Soldier Display Trade Study and OTV prototype, we are creating AR systems that not only push technological boundaries but also prioritize human factors, ensuring soldier acceptance and operational success. This is a defining moment for Kopin as we pave the way for future defense programs."
A Bright Future for MicroLED and National Security
The government's recognition of MicroLED as a critical technology underscores its importance for next-generation AR systems. Kopin's advancements in full-color MicroLED displays offer significant technical advantages, including greater brightness, energy efficiency, and production cost efficiency. These innovations enable scalable, high-volume manufacturing in the U.S., ensuring that America's warfighters have access to state-of-the-art technology produced domestically. This award not only strengthens Kopin's innovation pipeline but also enhances national security by reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.
With this transformative award, Kopin is well-positioned to provide key components for the development and production of AR systems that will define the future of battlefield vision. By delivering human-centric, high-performance solutions, Kopin continues to empower U.S. warfighters with the tools they need to succeed in the most challenging environments.
Corporate Update Conference Call Details
Date: Monday, September 15, 2025
Time: 9:15 am Eastern Time (6:15 am Pacific Time)
U.S. dial-in number: 800-267-6316
International number: 203-518-9783
Conference ID: KOPIN
Webcast: Corporate Update Webcast
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which are subject to the safe harbor created by such sections. Words such as "expects," "believes," "can," "will," "estimates," and variations of such words and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such "forward-looking statements," which speak only as of the date made, and advise readers that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates, and assumptions by us that are difficult to predict. These forward-looking statements may include statements with respect to our belief that the landmark award accelerates Kopin's development of ultra-bright, full-color MicroLED displays optimized for ground soldier augmented reality (AR) applications, positioning the company as a cornerstone of America's defense innovation and domestic manufacturing ecosystem; our belief that by advancing daytime and nighttime readable AR display technology, Kopin is poised to redefine battlefield vision systems, enhancing soldier lethality, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness; our belief that this award solidifies Kopin's leadership in MicroLED technology and establishing a robust U.S.-based production capability for this critical defense technology; our belief that this award positions Kopin to win future defense programs that rely on full-color MicroLED for next-generation AR systems; our belief that our initiatives create a powerful synergy, positioning Kopin at the forefront of soldier-centric AR innovation; our belief that this award positions Kopin as a frontrunner for future U.S. defense contracts that prioritize advanced AR solutions for enhanced soldier performance; and our belief that this is a transformative moment in Kopin's history and growth trajectory as this contract and our expectation of follow-on non-dilutive infrastructure investment contracts will be the bedrock which we build the next decade of foundational innovations upon. Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements, including without limitation our ability to produce thermal weapons displays in adequate quantities to meet projected demand, the outcome of any litigation and other factors beyond our control. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by us or on our behalf, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements that may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as may otherwise be required by the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management's expectations are described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors; Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; and other parts of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended, for the fiscal year ended December 28, 2024, or as updated from time to time our Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
About Kopin
Kopin Corporation is a leading developer and provider of innovative display, and application-specific optical solutions sold as critical components and subassemblies for defense, enterprise, professional and consumer products. Kopin's portfolio includes microdisplays, display modules, eyepiece assemblies, image projection modules, and vehicle mounted and head-mounted display systems that incorporate ultra-small high-resolution Active Matrix Liquid Crystal displays (AMLCD), Ferroelectric Liquid Crystal on Silicon (FLCoS) displays, MicroLED displays (µLED) and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays, a variety of optics, and low-power ASICs. For more information, please visit Kopin's website at www.kopin.com. Kopin is a trademark of Kopin Corporation.
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