LightPath Technologies Wins Department of War Prototype Agreement to Advance Germanium Alternatives for Infrared Imaging
LightPath Technologies won a funded, competitively awarded prototype agreement under the Department of War's CLEAR program to mature BlackDiamond chalcogenide glass as a germanium alternative for defense EO/IR surveillance and targeting systems. The award targets a hard supply-chain deadline: China dominates global germanium supply and has imposed export controls since 2023, and the 2026 NDAA added germanium to covered-materials restrictions with sourcing restrictions taking effect ahead of December 2027. Because the prototype was competitively awarded, successful completion may qualify LightPath for a follow-on production contract without further competition under 10 U.S.C.
Key figures
- Program
- CLEAR (Critical Low-risk Electro-optic Alternatives for Resilience)
- Award Type
- funded prototype agreement
- China Export Controls Since
- 2023
- Follow On Production Clause
- 10 U.S.C. § 4022(f) allows follow-on production without further competition if the prototype is successfully completed
- Germanium Restriction Deadline
- December 2027
AI analysis
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