Kopin

In September 2025, we reported that Kopin was awarded $15.4 million from the US Department of Defense to develop ultra-bright, full-color MicroLED displays for military AR applications. The project is focused on creating displays optimized for ground soldier AR systems that function effectively in various lighting conditions. The funding builds upon Kopin's existing microLED work with the military.

Now Kopin updates three major milestone achievements in this project, that represent significant progress toward the company's US-based microLED manufacturing capability. These milestones are in the areas of display performance, integration and bonding. Kopin expects to transition to manufacturing product in mid 2027.

US-based defense developer and contractor L3Harris Technologies says that it is looking into adopting microLED displays into its NOVA night-vision goggle,  which is competing for the US Army's next Binocular Night Observation Device (BiNOD).

L3Harris says it is in preliminary talks with US-based microLED producers - in plural, L3Harris says that "the company is casting a wide net for potential collaborators".

Last month, we reported that Kopin and Fabric.AI launched a strategic collaboration to develop microLED-based optical interconnect technology (which will branded as Neural I/o) for AI infrastructure. Fabric.AI placed a $15 million purchase order with Kopin to fund the demonstration chipset development.

Fabric.AI now announced that it expects to demonstrate its Neural I/o platform by the end of 2026. It has also entered into two non-disclosure agreements with leading chipmakers to discuss potential applications and integration opportunities for Neural I/o within next-generation AI systems.

Kopin Corporation announced a strategic collaboration with Fabric.AI to develop microLED-based optical interconnect technology for AI infrastructure.  Kopin says that Fabric.AI placed a $15 million purchase order with Kopin to fund the demonstration chipset development.

Kopin and Fabric.AI jointly are jointly developing an optical interconnect technology (branded as Neural I/o) designed to replace traditional copper wiring between GPUs and high-performance processors in data centers. The technology leverages Kopin's microLED displays and bi-directional NeuralDisplay architecture, repurposing programmable microLED pixels as optical transceivers for data transmission.

Kopin announced that it has received a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research contract from the U.S. Government to develop full-color, smaller-format MicroLED display technology for military applications. 

The new SBIR project supports the creation of a second full color MicroLED display purpose-designed for several soldier-borne applications, marking this the second MicroLED focused award in the past six months for Army programs. Typically SBIR I projects represent around $150,000 - $300,000 in total funding. 

Kopin announced that a tier-one aerospace company has placed orders worth about $3 million for microLED displays. Kopin says that this will be the first production order for microLEDs in combat aircraft.

Kopin says it will deliver the dispalys in the second half of 2026. The microLEDs will upgrade legacy Heads-Up Displays (HUDs) in fielded aircraft. Kopin says that these microLED displays will offer high-resolution imagery projected onto a screen directly in the line of sight, enhancing situational awareness, safety and mission effectiveness.

Kopin announced that it will raise $41 million in a private investment in public equity financing (PIPE agreement), from three companies - Theon International, Ondas Holdings and Unusual Machines.

Kopin says that the funds will be used to develop several new product lines and technologies, including its color microLED microdisplays.  

Kopin announced that it was awarded $15.4 million from the US Department of Defense to develop ultra-bright, full-color MicroLED displays for military AR applications. The project will be funded through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, and it is focused on creating displays optimized for ground soldier AR systems that function effectively in various lighting conditions

This contract's final goal is to establish a US-based microLED display production capabilities. Kopin hopes that this award will accelerate its microLED R&D project. The funding builds upon Kopin's existing microLED work with the military.

Advanced optronics developer Theon announced that it is investing $15 million in Kopin Corporation. Part of that investment is a $8 million acquisition of a 49% stage in Kopin's Scottish subsidiary.

The Scottish Subsidiary will serve as a foundation for a new European joint venture between the two companies. This JV will engage in the development and production of microLED displays (in addition to the production and distribution of AR-enabled systems that the two companies will jointly develop).

Kopin announced that it has been awarded a US army contract that involves a soldier display trade study to define the optimal MicroLED characteristics for  XR HUDs for warfighter solutions.

A 2k OLED microdisplay by Kopin

The Soldier Display Trade Study focuses on identifying ultrabright MicroLED tradeoffs to optimize see-through XR applications, prioritizing daytime-readable displays that are brighter, more energy-efficient, and capable of delivering clear visibility across diverse lighting conditions—from intense daylight to overcast starlight. The trade study will culminate in a comprehensive “Microdisplay Requirements and Performance Matrix,” setting the standard for next-generation soldier vision systems.