TAUNTON, Mass., 17 April 2009. Kopin Corp., a U.S. manufacturer of microdisplays for military applications, has delivered several hundred new VIPER head-mounted display (HMD) units to a prime U.S. defense contractor.

The monocular Viper HMD, a full-color remote viewer with VGA resolution, can be connected to virtually any surveillance or thermal camera, says a representative. This compact, lightweight display system is designed for homeland security, military, and first-responder applications, including police, fire, marine, and border patrol.

"The VIPER HMD and Display Module provide key 'plug-and-play' solutions to system integrators seeking high-performance video displays," says Tony Bacarella, Kopin's director of business development for government programs. "Based on our full-color CyberDisplay VGA LV microdisplay, the VIPER HMD and display module offer superb image quality in compact, low-power versatile configurations, which can be readily integrated into a wide range of products."

Weighing less than one ounce, the VIPER HMD can be attached to eyewear, goggles, and helmet visors with a universal mounting system. It provides a 640x480-resolution image to a user in a 28-degree field of view, equivalent to a 42-inch virtual image at a distance of 7 feet. T

he unit is capable of remote viewing of monochrome (RS-170) or color (NTSC/PAL) video, and runs on 4 AA batteries for more than 24 hours. The cabling system incorporates in-line quick-disconnect connectors for improved safety. It also has a universal video connector allowing adaptation to a wide range of video output connectors.

The VIPER HMD was developed in partnership with Intevac Vision Systems, a business unit within Intevac Photonics Inc.