Vuzix and Collins Aerospace Expand AR Defence Collaboration
Vuzix Corporation has confirmed the continuation and expansion of its multi-year development collaboration with Collins Aerospace, a business operating under RTX. The partnership centres on the advancement and scaling of waveguide-based augmented reality display systems designed for defence applications, and has now reached a key production milestone. As part of the collaboration, production approval has been secured, and advanced display systems have already been delivered for deployment across several programmes linked to the United States Department of Defence.
The collaboration has focused on the design and development of a next-generation wearable display engine built around Vuzix’s waveguide technology. This system is intended to support operational requirements such as dismounted soldier use and drone control, where compact, durable and high-performance visual displays are critical. The development work has progressed from concept through to validated hardware, allowing the programme to move into near-term low-rate initial production. This phase is expected to act as a bridge towards full-rate manufacturing, which both companies anticipate will begin from 2026 onwards.
Vuzix’s custom waveguide manufacturing capabilities are central to the programme’s scalability. By leveraging domestic production capacity, the company is positioning itself to meet forecast defence demand while supporting US-based manufacturing objectives. The procurement associated with this programme represents an important step in establishing Vuzix as a core component supplier within Collins Aerospace’s advanced vision systems portfolio. It also reinforces the role of waveguide-based displays as a foundational technology for future military wearable systems.
After several years of joint development, process validation activities are now approaching completion. These efforts are intended to ensure that the display systems meet the performance, durability and reliability standards required for operational defence environments. With validation nearing its conclusion, final hardware deliveries that have received end-customer approval are scheduled to begin in the first quarter of 2026. These deliveries will mark the transition from extended development into broader deployment across approved defence programmes.
From a strategic perspective, the collaboration reflects a broader shift within the defence sector from research and development towards fielded solutions. As next-generation visual and augmented reality technologies mature, the emphasis has increasingly moved towards manufacturing readiness and the ability to deliver at scale. The Vuzix–Collins relationship has been structured to address this transition, aligning technical development with long-term production planning and supply chain resilience.
Vuzix’s involvement in this programme builds on its wider portfolio of augmented reality and wearable display solutions across enterprise, medical and defence markets. The company designs and manufactures head-mounted smart displays and optical components that prioritise mobility, visual clarity and real-time data integration. Its waveguide technologies and display engines are supplied both as complete systems and as original equipment manufacturer components, enabling integration into a range of platforms and use cases.
Founded in 1997, Vuzix operates as a publicly listed company and maintains operations in the United States and Japan. Over the years, it has accumulated a substantial intellectual property portfolio, holding hundreds of patents and pending applications in optics, head-mounted displays and wearable augmented reality. Its work has been recognised through multiple innovation awards, including repeated honours at the Consumer Electronics Show over nearly two decades.
The announcement also includes standard forward-looking disclosures, noting that expectations regarding production timelines, future orders and programme success are subject to a range of risks and uncertainties. These include factors that may affect procurement volumes, scheduling and broader market conditions within the defence sector. Actual outcomes may differ from current projections, and the company has indicated that it does not undertake to update forward-looking statements except where required by law.
