TAUNTON, Mass., 29 April 2008. Kopin Corp. won the first phase of an anticipated three-phase, $4.2 million U.S. Army program to accelerate production capability and improve the performance of its CyberDisplay SXGA LVR microdisplay. The microdisplay is targeted for the Army's next generation of night-vision systems. These systems use multispectral imaging sensors and Kopin's full-color displays to provide soldiers with daytime-like images, even in total darkness.

The CyberDisplay SXGA LVR is a 0.97-inch-diagonal active matrix liquid crystal display with 1280 x 1024 pixel resolution. With the integration of an internal heater, it offers nearly instant-on capability at low ambient temperatures with minimal power consumption. The CyberDisplay SXGA LVR is the culmination of Kopin's partnership with the U.S. Government to invest and develop a new 8-inch processing line.

"This award reinforces Kopin's position as the leading technology developer and supplier of superior, high-performance microdisplays to the U.S. military," said President and Chief Executive Officer Dr. John C. C. Fan. "Having succeeded in developing the Cyberdisplay SXGA LVR, we are focused on continually perfecting the technology necessary to produce such a complex display. We expect that our work on this program also will benefit our commercial display infrastructure."

"A stable supply of color SXGA microdisplays is critical for the U.S. military's next-generation night vision systems," the U.S. Army said in a prepared statement. "Kopin's CyberDisplay SXGA LVR will provide the resolution and contrast necessary to capture more detailed images. It will also offer the added capability of displaying color maps, color symbology, and sensor-fused imagery, thus increasing the situational awareness of our soldiers in the field."

"The initial phase of this three-year program is aimed at accelerating the development of manufacturing technology for Kopin's standard SXGA LVR," stated Michael Presz, Kopin's Vice President of Government Contracting. "Technology insertions planned for future phases will increase display transmission and operational readiness by incorporating advanced materials available with our new 8-inch process. The goal of the program is to create a high-volume production capability for this next-generation SXGA display, which is scheduled in lock-step with the U.S. Army's emerging night vision programs."