ORLANDO, FL - LightPath Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ:LPTH), a global manufacturer of optical and infrared technologies, has reached a significant milestone by receiving qualification for its advanced thermal camera system from Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT). This development paves the way for LightPath to begin supplying flightworthy hardware for Lockheed Martin's initial live test units as part of a major missile program for the US Army.
The collaboration between LightPath and Lockheed Martin was first announced in September 2023, with LightPath slated to receive up to $7.5 million for design and development. By December 2023, LightPath had already secured $4.7 million from Lockheed Martin for the development and delivery of initial prototypes.
This qualification marks a critical step in the first phase of the agreement, leading to a potential second phase order valued at roughly $3 million. LightPath's newly expanded Orlando manufacturing facility will handle full production if the company's system is selected.
The US Army, currently evaluating two competing solutions, anticipates making a production decision by 2026, earlier than the initially expected 2028. The initial order of 10,000 systems could translate into $50 million to $100 million in revenue for LightPath, with the potential for follow-on orders reaching similar annual quantities.
Sam Rubin, CEO of LightPath, stated that the accelerated timeline and volume of production units signify a substantial financial opportunity, potentially transformative to the company's business. Rubin estimates that the program could yield between $500 million to $1 billion in revenue over its lifespan, based on previous US Army programs.
LightPath Technologies, headquartered in Orlando, Florida, specializes in a range of optics and photonics solutions for various industries, including defense and telecommunications. The company's subsidiaries, Visimid Technologies and ISP Optics Corporation, contribute to its broad portfolio of infrared products.
This announcement is based on a press release statement from LightPath Technologies, Inc. and contains forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
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