Following its contracts in April and September for the development of military-grade Micro LED displays, Kopin, a US-based microdisplay technology manufacturer, has secured another order for military-grade Micro LED displays, further expanding the application of Micro LED in the defense sector.
Image source: Kopin
Kopin wins $3.2 million Micro LED HUD order
On October 14, Kopin announced that it had secured a $3.2 million (approximately RMB 22.8221 million) contract from a Tier 1 aerospace company to supply Micro LED displays for a comprehensive upgrade of fighter jet head-up display (HUD) systems. This marks Kopin's first mass-production application of Micro LED technology in a combat aircraft.
It is understood that this batch of Micro LED displays is expected to be delivered in the second half of 2026, replacing the traditional HUD systems in current fighter jets. The upgraded displays can project high-resolution images directly in front of the pilot's field of vision, significantly improving situational awareness, flight safety, and mission efficiency.
Kopin stated that the Micro LED display delivered this time has passed flight certification, possesses high brightness and high dynamic adjustment capabilities, with a peak brightness of up to 1 million foot-lamberts (fL), approximately 100 times that of OLED displays, and can maintain clear visibility even in strong sunlight.
Meanwhile, the Micro LED microdisplay boasts a dimming range exceeding 30,000:1, enabling rapid switching between day and night missions. Furthermore, the display features an advanced backplane architecture design that ensures image uniformity, effectively eliminating motion artifacts and providing pilots with stable and realistic visuals during high-speed maneuvers or complex environments.
In terms of power consumption, Kopin's Micro LED microdisplay technology is about five times more energy efficient than similar microdisplay technologies. Each display has a resolution of 4 million pixels and supports a refresh rate of 120 frames per second, achieving high brightness, low latency, and high fidelity display to meet the needs of high-performance fighter jets and other critical missions.
Kopin continues to advance the development of military microdisplay technology . As a supplier of optical systems and high-performance microdisplays, Kopin's current products cover AMLCD, LCOS, Micro OLED, Micro LED microdisplays, as well as various optical devices and low-power ASIC chips.
The defense and military sector is one of Kopin Microdisplay's main markets, contributing the majority of the company's revenue. Thanks to increased shipments of thermal imaging weapon sights, Kopin achieved total revenue of $50.03 million in 2024, a 24.6% year-over-year increase.
In 2025, Kopin will continue to increase its investment in military display and optoelectronic technology, and accelerate the introduction of Micro LED micro-display technology in defense applications, with business expansion continuing to accelerate.
In April of this year, Kopin received a new contract from the U.S. Army for a Soldier Display Trade Study project. The project focuses on studying the performance of ultra-high brightness Micro LEDs in XR applications, prioritizing the development of displays suitable for daytime use.
In September, Kopin received a $15.4 million (approximately RMB 112 million) contract from the U.S. Department of Defense to develop ultra-bright, full-color Micro LED microdisplays for AR for ground combat soldiers, helping them maintain focus and make efficient decisions in combat.
summary
In 2025, Micro LED microdisplay technology is developing rapidly. With Kopin's continued efforts, Micro LED microdisplay technology has gradually gained application recognition in demanding military fields. Meanwhile, in the consumer sector, Micro LED microdisplay technology is also being continuously applied to AR glasses, and its combination with AI technology is driving market demand for AR glasses.
In terms of application, Micro LED is gradually moving towards commercialization, but from the perspective of the industry chain, what is the progress of Micro LED technology development?
On October 30, its subsidiary and TrendForce Display will jointly host the 2025 Self-Emitting Display Industry Seminar.
Yu-Bin Chiu, Senior Vice President of Research at TrendForce; Xiao Guo, GaN Epitaxial Process Expert at Crystal Power Optoelectronics; Yi Liu, Vice President of New Market Development at HONGXIKI Intelligent; and Wei Chen, Process Manager at Aixtron China, will deliver keynote speeches on Micro LED, providing a comprehensive analysis of the latest advancements in Micro LED technology. Don't miss this exciting content! (Text: Irving)
