News: LEDs
18 September 2025
US Army grants Kopin $15.4m to develop full-color micro-LED displays for ground soldier integrated visual AR applications
Kopin Corp of Westborough, MA, USA (a provider of application-specific optical systems and display subassemblies for defense, enterprise, professional and consumer applications) has been Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) from the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) through the US Army Contracting Command (ACC) under the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program. The award accelerates Kopin’s development of ultra-bright, full-color micro-LED displays optimized for ground soldier augmented-reality (AR) applications. The firm says that, by advancing daytime- and nighttime-readable AR display technology, it is poised to redefine battlefield vision systems, enhancing soldier lethality, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness.
The funding empowers Kopin to develop full-color micro-LED micro-displays tailored for integrated visual AR systems, delivering unmatched performance in diverse lighting conditions-from intense daylight to low-visibility environments.
By investing in scalable, US-based manufacturing, Kopin says that it is strengthening the USA’s defense industrial base, ensuring a secure and reliable supply chain for advanced display technologies. This domestic production capability not only supports existing US Army needs but also positions Kopin to win future defense programs that rely on full-color micro-LED for next-generation AR systems, the firm reckons.
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. The full-color micro-LED 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.
“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,” says CEO, president & chairman Michael Murray. “Kopin’s expertise in micro-LED technology, coupled with our domestic manufacturing capabilities, is transforming how America’s warfighters see and interact with the battlefield,” he adds. “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.”
Future for micro-LEDs and national security
Kopin says that the US government’s recognition of micro-LEDs as a critical technology underscores its importance for next-generation AR systems. The firm’s advances in full-color micro-LED displays are said to offer technical advantages, including greater brightness, energy efficiency, and production cost efficiency. These enable scalable, high-volume manufacturing domestically in the USA. The award therefore not only strengthens Kopin’s innovation pipeline but also enhances national security by reducing reliance on foreign supply chains.
