Kopin to provide microdisplay for Lockheed Martin version of future anti-air missile guidance and control

Questions and answers:

• What is the purpose of the NGSRI missile? It will defend against modern aerial threats like drones, cruise missiles, helicopters, and hypersonic weapons.
• What are the two companies developing NGSRI prototypes? RTX Raytheon Land & Air Defense Systems and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control are developing competing NGSRI prototypes.
• How is the NGSRI compatible with existing systems? The NGSRI will work with current Stinger launchers, including vehicle-mounted systems like Avenger and M-SHORAD, and shoulder-fired setups.

ORLANDO, Fla. – Lockheed Martin Corp. engineers developing a next-generation short-range anti-air missile needed a visual display subsystem to help keep the missile on target. They found a solution from Kopin Corp. in Westborough, Mass.

Officials of the Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control segment in Orlando, Fla., have selected Kopin for the Visual Display Subsystem (VDS) on Lockheed Martin's version of the future Next-Generation Short-Range Interceptor (NGSRI).

Kopin will build and test the high-resolution VDS assembly for the Lockheed Martin NGSRI. Kopin's visual display includes the company's organic light emitting diode (OLED) microdisplay, drive electronics, and optical designs for the Command Launch Assembly (CLA) component in the Lockheed Martin NGSRI version. Kopin will deliver VDS assemblies for simulated and operational missile launch tests.

The NGSRI is being developed for the U.S. Army to replace the legacy FIM-92 Stinger shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missile, which is unable to handle modern aerial threats like advanced drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic missiles.

NGSRI will replace Stinger

The U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) at Redstone Arsenal, Ala., chose the RTX Raytheon Land & Air Defense Systems division in Tucson, Ariz., and Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control in 2023 to develop competing NGSRI prototypes. An NGSRI downselect and initial production is set for 2028.

The NGSRI is expected to counter a wide range of aerial threats like enemy helicopters, fixed-wing aircraft, cruise missiles, and hypersonic weapons. It is to have greater speed, maneuverability, and targeting precision than the Stinger.

The NGSRI’s seeker reportedly can identify and track small uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) from as far away as three miles in harsh conditions like sandstorms. Its solid-propellant rocket motor should offer longer burn time, increased energy output, and extended intercept range than the Stinger.

Tell me more about Kopin's organic light emitting diode (OLED) microdisplay ...

• Kopin's organic light emitting diode (OLED) microdisplays are for thermal imaging in military applications, augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), mixed reality (MR), and rugged industrial devices. The company's active matrix OLED (AMOLED) microdisplays come in two versions: a 0.49-inch diagonal with 1280-by-720-pixel resolution and 5000 candela per square meter brightness; and a 0.00-inch diagonal with 2048-by- 2048 resolution and 3000 candela per square meter brightness. These microdisplays provide high-contrast ratios, deep blacks, vibrant colors, fast frame rates, low power consumption, and wide viewing angles.

The NGSRI will be able to use the Stinger Vehicle Universal Launcher, and existing tripod and shoulder-fired launchers man-portable launchers, and will be suitable for use on vehicles like the Avenger and the Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system. The NGSRI's seeker will be able to handle hard-to-track aerial targets like swarming drones.

The NGSRI guidance and control system will use multi-mode sensor technology that combines radar, infrared sensors, and visible-light cameras, and will in low-visibility conditions like sandstorms and complex electromagnetic conditions.

The command launch assembly (CLA) for the man-portable variant features improved target detection and identification range for improved operator engagement in low-visibility.

For more information contact Kopin Corp. online at www.kopin.com, Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control at www.lockheedmartin.com/en-us/who-we-are/business-areas/missiles-and-fire-control.html, or the Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation & Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) at www.avmc.army.mil.