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.
Milestone 1: Kopin achieved a significant performance milestone, reaching over 150,000 nits of single-panel, full-color brightness, which actually exceeds the program’s threshold target. Kopin says it expects to improve this brightness even higher, over time.
Milestone 2: Kopin successfully integrated its color microLED technology for U.S. Army ground soldier vision applications. This brings the company closer to utilizing such displays in actual rugged, field-ready systems.
Milestone 3: Kopin has received and begun installation of its new microLED bonding equipment, a key asset supporting the IBAS program and Kopin’s broader effort to onshore critical MicroLED manufacturing processes. The equipment shipped in June and is scheduled to be fully installed by the end of July at Kopin’s U.S. headquarters.
In addition to this large US project, in March 2026 Kopin 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.
Towards the end of 2025, 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.
Earlier in 2025, Kopin announced that it will raise $41 million in a private investment in public equity financing, and the funds will be used to develop several new product lines and technologies, including its color microLED microdisplays. Later in 2025, Theon announced that it is investing $15 million in Kopin, and the two companies have launched a Joint Venture that will engage in the development and production of microLED displays.
In April 2026, Kopin announced a strategic collaboration with Fabric.AI to develop microLED-based optical interconnect technology for AI infrastructure. Fabric.AI placed a $15 million purchase order with Kopin to fund the demonstration chipset development.
