The Department of War (DOW) announced today two September 19, 2025 investments totaling $24.5 million to bolster the U.S. supply chain for advanced optical displays.  This announcement was delayed due to the government shutdown. The projects, funded through the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP))'s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, were awarded this summer to Kopin Corporation of Westborough, Massachusetts and Tectus Corporation of Cupertino, California. They will focus on developing and validating a cost-effective manufacturing process for MicroLED displays that are essential for next-generation weapon systems.

"Microdisplays are crucial components in delivering information to the joint warfighter and are integrated into solutions across all domains including heads-up-displays for pilots, advanced night vision goggles, weapon optics, and unmanned systems," said Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi. "Securing a domestic supply of advanced MicroLED displays is vital for the Department's next-generation defense applications, ensuring both performance and security."

Both projects will establish an onshore, multi-vendor supply chain of state-of-the-art MicroLED displays.  MicroLED technology promisea to enable daylight readability with full-color symbology and imagery by delivering ultra-high brightness levels that remain visible in direct sunlight, while also supporting high image quality at low brightness for nighttime operations.  The technology also allows for reduced size, weight and power, improving warfighter capability and effectiveness.

These investments demonstrate the Department's commitment to strengthening domestic manufacturing and securing critical supply chains. They also support the Secretary of War's priority of Rebuilding the Military by ensuring that there are reliable, trusted U.S. manufacturers of state-of-the-art micro-displays to enable successful development, delivery, and operation of next-generation weapon systems.

Since the IBAS Program's inception in 2014, the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office has invested over $2.6 billion across 205 projects to restore domestic manufacturing capacity and capability.  ICAM is part of OASW(IBP)'s Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) Directorate within the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Resilience.  For more information on MCEIP, please visit: https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/index.html.

About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP))

The OASW(IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base enabling the warfighter, now and in the future.  The OASW(IBP)'s Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office, which manages the IBAS Program, provides DOW with key capabilities to achieve the strategic aims of Department priorities and Presidential Executive Orders.  These call for a strong, resilient, responsive, and healthy national industrial base that can respond at-will to national security requirements.

Source Article