The Department of War (DOW) has announced two significant investments totaling $24.5 million aimed at strengthening the domestic supply chain for advanced optical displays, specifically MicroLED technology. This initiative seeks to ensure a secure and reliable source of these critical components for next-generation weapon systems, enhancing warfighter capabilities across all domains.
Key Takeaways
- Two investments totaling $24.5 million awarded to Kopin Corporation and Tectus Corporation.
- Focus on developing cost-effective manufacturing processes for MicroLED displays.
- Aims to establish an onshore, multi-vendor supply chain for advanced MicroLEDs.
- MicroLED technology offers enhanced brightness, image quality, and reduced size/weight/power.
Bolstering Defense Capabilities
Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Michael Cadenazzi emphasized the critical role of Microdisplays in delivering vital information to the joint warfighter. These displays are integral to various defense applications, including heads-up displays for pilots, advanced night vision goggles, weapon optics, and unmanned systems. Securing a domestic supply of advanced MicroLED displays is deemed essential for the Department’s future defense applications, ensuring both performance and national security.
Advancing MicroLED Technology
The investments will support the development and validation of cost-effective manufacturing processes for MicroLED displays. This technology promises significant advantages, including daylight readability with full-color symbology and imagery due to its ultra-high brightness levels, which remain visible even in direct sunlight. Furthermore, MicroLEDs support high image quality at low brightness for nighttime operations and allow for reduced size, weight, and power consumption, directly improving warfighter effectiveness.
Strengthening the Industrial Base
These investments underscore the Department’s commitment to bolstering domestic manufacturing and securing critical supply chains. They align with the Secretary of War’s priority of Rebuilding the Military by ensuring the availability of trusted U.S. manufacturers for state-of-the-art micro-displays. This is crucial for the successful development, delivery, and operation of next-generation weapon systems.
The Office of the Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy (OASW(IBP)), through its Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program, has been instrumental in this effort. Since its inception in 2014, the Innovation Capability and Modernization (ICAM) Office within OASW(IBP) has invested over $2.6 billion across 205 projects to restore and enhance domestic manufacturing capacity and capability. The OASW(IBP) works to maintain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base to meet current and future warfighter needs.
Sources
- DOW Strengthens Domestic Production of Critical Display Technologies > U.S. Department of War, U.S. Department of War (.gov).
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