Worcester Business Journal

26 Worcester Business Journal | October 19, 2026 | wbjournal.com satellite communication systems. Precision optics for fighter pilots Another major local defense manu- facturer is Kopin Corp. At its Westborough facility, Kopin develops and manufactures micro-dis- plays and application-specific optical solutions. "ese are products that support human performance when the stakes are high and speed and accuracy matter the most," said Kopin Chief Operating Officer Paul Baker. Baker described a microdisplay as "a tiny, extremely high-resolution TV, about the size of a fingernail." e display is built into a headset, where precision optics magnify the image and give the user detailed visual infor- mation. Examples of Kopin's products in- clude the display used in fighter pilot helmets around the world and the weapon sights used by soldiers, which provide detailed information ranging from distance to a thermal profile to wind speed and more. Baker noted displays are also used in the headset drone pilots wear "to effectively `put them in the driver's seat' of the drone." Surgeons also use its helmets and displays to see what surgical cameras (endoscopes) and microscopes are showing. With $15 million in Department of Defense funding, Kopin is currently developing the technology and manu- facturing process to make high-speed, low-energy, optical interconnect components for data centers. e company's other recently announced Department of Defense programs include: • $17 million to develop and establish domestic manufacturing capabil- ities for sophisticated micro-LED displays. • $21 million to manufacture critical eyepieces for a thermal weapon sight system. • $3 million to manufacture first-per- son view eyepieces for a USA drone manufacturer. Hudson-based e Entwistle Co., founded in 1918, has supplied equipment to the U.S. military and select foreign militaries for more than 50 years. Its products include aircra launch and recovery equipment, fu- eling systems and shipboard machin- ery, including jetblast deflectors that protect personnel and equipment on aircra carrier flight decks. Its padeyes, for example, allow Navy ships to transfer materials to and from supply ships. e company received 146 new De- partment of Defense contract awards totaling $7.4 million in obligations in fiscal 2026, including $4.6 million attributed to Massachusetts. at fol- lowed $27.6 million in 2025 and $37.6 million in 2024. Aviation headsets Worcester-based defense contrac- tor David Clark Co. manufactures aviation headsets, communication systems and life-support equipment for military and civilian applications. e 91-year-old company received defense contracts totaling $15.2 million in fiscal 2026 for U-2 life support systems, with 98% of the work designated for Worcester. David Clark also supplied crew survival spacesuits for NASA's Artemis program. But the regional defense supply chain extends well beyond its largest manufacturers. Smaller Worcester companies, such as D & T Fasteners and Powders on Demand, supply specialized components ranging from spring pins and fasteners to special- ized powders and cold-spray additives. Aircraft forgings to AR headsets Dozens more defense contractors are in Central Massachusetts, includ- ing Wyman-Gordon of Worcester and Graon, Precision Optics of Gardner, and IPG Photonics of Marlborough. A defense and aerospace manufac- turer founded in Worcester in 1883, Wyman-Gordon continues to produce specialized metal forgings for military and commercial aircra at facilities in Worcester and North Graon. e company, a subsidiary of Precision Castparts Corp., manufactures titani- um, steel and nickel-alloy components used in aircra structures and turbine engines. Last year, Gardner-based Precision Optics secured a product development order worth $723,000 to produce components for an augmented reality headset used in U.S. Air Force fighter pilot training. Marlborough-based IPG Photonics launched a high-energy laser defense system last year designed to tackle the growing threat of unmanned aerial systems. e device uses directed energy beams to disable drones and has applications for both military and private security uses. Competitive advantage e Worcester County workforce provides great value to defense-re- lated advanced manufacturing, said Economy Employment in key Central Mass. industries Industry 2014 employment 2019 employment 2024 employment Health care & social assistance 88,188 99,994 100,828 Education 78,944 83,240 85,104 Manufacturing 59,794 58,427 58,679 Construction 24,477 29,348 32,145 Finance & insurance 16,364 14,885 14,154 Arts, entertainment & recreation 7,517 8,444 8,400 Real estate 2,614 2,907 2,614 Source: Massachusetts Department of Economic Research Note: An update was not available as/of press time for our Central Mass. coverage area in aggregate. Data is the same as was published last year. continued from page 25 David Clark Co.'s new headquarters in Worcester. PHOTO | COURTESY OF DAVID CLARK CO.

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