Kopin Receives $20.5 Million Contract for New Thermal Weapon Sight Configuration
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Insights
The recent contract secured by Kopin Corporation with the Department of Defense for the production of a new weapon sight eyepiece represents a significant development in the defense and optical solutions sector. The contract's value of approximately $20.5 million, with an initial authorization to procure materials worth $9 million, indicates a robust commitment from the government sector to Kopin's technology and products. This move could signal increased confidence in the company's ability to deliver high-quality defense applications, potentially leading to more contracts in the future.
From a market perspective, the announcement could have a positive impact on investor sentiment towards Kopin, as securing government contracts often provides a stable revenue stream. The potential tripling of thermal weapon sight production volumes for fiscal year 2024 suggests a substantial increase in operational activity and, if managed efficiently, could lead to improved economies of scale and margins for the company.
Kopin Corporation's financial outlook may experience a notable uplift from this contract, especially considering the delivery timeline extending into 2024 and 2025. The forward-looking statement by Kopin's CEO about starting the year with a strong order book and the potential for significant revenue and profitable growth suggests optimism about the company's financial health and future performance. This contract could play a pivotal role in shaping the company's revenue trajectory and improving its financial ratios.
Investors should monitor the company's ability to meet production demands and manage the supply chain for the procurement of materials. The early procurement authorization indicates a proactive approach to potential supply chain bottlenecks. However, investors should remain aware of the risks associated with the qualification process of the new eyepiece configuration, as any delays or issues could impact the timeline and financial outcomes of the contract.
The integration of Kopin's proprietary high-brightness microdisplay and custom-designed Pancake® optics into sophisticated AR weapon systems underscores the company's role in advancing defense technology. The transition towards enhanced AR capabilities in modern warfare is a trend that is gaining momentum and Kopin's involvement places it at the forefront of this market shift. The Department of Defense's investment in such technologies reflects the strategic importance of AR in defense applications, potentially leading to broader adoption across various military platforms.
Understanding the technical aspects of Kopin's solutions, such as the high-brightness microdisplay and Pancake® optics, is crucial. These components are likely to be integral in providing soldiers with improved situational awareness and targeting accuracy, which are key factors in modern combat scenarios. The success of this contract could lead to increased market share for Kopin within the defense sector and set a precedent for future technological advancements in military optics.
Under the terms of the contract, Kopin is authorized to procure up to approximately
The weapon sight eyepieces, which includes Kopin’s proprietary high-brightness microdisplay and custom-designed Pancake® optics, are critical components provided to a Department of Defense prime contractor that integrates the eyepiece into a sophisticated video “see through” augmented reality (“AR”) weapon system.
The additional demand for Kopin’s existing eye piece and new configuration could more than triple its thermal weapon sight production volumes in fiscal year 2024, as compared to 2023 production.
“Our customer’s willingness to start procurement prior to final qualification is a testament to Kopin’s optical expertise, customer responsiveness and reliability in delivering weapon sights and targeting products of the highest quality,” said Bill Maffucci, Kopin's Vice President of Business Development and Strategy.
Michael Murray, Kopin's Chief Executive Officer stated, “This contract is another milestone in our transformation to become a world-class developer and manufacturer of application-specific optical solutions. We start 2024 with a strong orderbook and this order strengthens our foundation for significant revenue and profitable growth.”
About Kopin
Kopin Corporation is a leading developer and provider of innovative display and optical technologies sold as critical components and subassemblies for defense, industrial and consumer products. Kopin's technology portfolio includes ultra-small Active-Matrix Liquid Crystal displays (AMLCD), Liquid Crystal on Silicon (LCOS) displays and Organic Light Emitting Diode (OLED) displays, a variety of optics, and low-power ASICs. For more information, please visit Kopin's website at www.kopin.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this press release may be considered “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), which are subject to the safe harbor created by such sections. Words such as “expects,” “believes,” “can,” “will,” “estimates,” and variations of such words and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such “forward-looking statements,” which speak only as of the date made, and advise readers that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, estimates, and assumptions by us that are difficult to predict. These forward-looking statements may include statements with respect to the scheduled for deliveries of the new weapon sight eyepiece in 2024 and 2025; this additional increase in demand potentially triples our thermal weapon sight production volumes in fiscal year 2024, as compared to our 2023 production; and our belief that this additional order adds to an already strong orderbook and is the foundation for significant revenue and profitable growth. Various factors, some of which are beyond our control, could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements, whether written or oral, and whether made by us or on our behalf, are expressly qualified by these cautionary statements and any other cautionary statements that may accompany the forward-looking statements. In addition, we disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release, except as may otherwise be required by the federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are only predictions, subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those discussed. Important factors that could affect performance and cause results to differ materially from management’s expectations are described in Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors; Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations; and other parts of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, or as updated from time to time our Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240108481698/en/
Kopin Corporation
Bill Maffucci, 508-870-5959
VP of Business Development and Strategy
bmaffucci@kopin.com
Richard Sneider, 508-870-5959
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer
Richard_Sneider@kopin.com
or
MZ Contact:
Brian M. Prenoveau, CFA, 561 489 5315
MZ Group – MZ North America
KOPIN@mzgroup.us
Source: Kopin Corporation
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