Defense Upgrades Call for the Best Optical Systems at the 2026 SPIE Defense + Security 

Calls to modernize the US military make this year’s SPIE Defense + Security a must-attend show. From the proliferation of simple, swarm-capable drones to the deployment of hyper-complex, networked defense systems, the battlefield of tomorrow demands a level of precision and speed that legacy hardware simply cannot provide. Optikos, the hub of The Optical Engineering Experts^®, is meeting this need by participating in the SPIE Defense + Security exhibit held at the National Harbor, Maryland, US between April 26^th-30^th, 2026 with our latest defense-supporting portfolio at booth #521. 

Powering Autonomous Systems with High-Precision Aerial Lenses 

AI-enabled applications rely heavily on diffraction-limited optical componentry to drive the right decision-making loop. As the United States and other countries around the world are moving towards an “AI-ready” military, autonomous systems must be well equipped to interpret vast amounts of visual data in real-time, often in harsh environments with zero margin for error. Image forming systems thus play a huge role in defining modern day defense performance. 

Optikos is addressing this critical need with advanced refractive and reflective aerial lens capabilities specifically engineered for aerial mapping and high-resolution reconnaissance. These systems are designed to capture crisp, high-fidelity imagery of the ground from flight altitudes, ensuring that every pixel delivered to the AI processor is actionable. What sets these lenses apart is their athermalized design. This guarantees consistent performance despite the extreme temperature fluctuations encountered during ascent, descent, and high-speed flight. By combining high opto- and opto-mechanical performance with an exceptional performance-to-cost ratio, Optikos is making sure to equip military partners with the high-performance, mission-critical tools they deserve. 

Launching the Parallax Revolution with the Latest Optikos ColliMeter 

It’s not every day that a company gets to introduce a truly transformative application which promises to completely change the game in the market. At Optikos, that is exactly what we are gearing up for as we officially celebrate our latest innovation for the field of riflescope manufacturing. We are launching the ColliMeter for Riflescopes on April 28th, 2026, during SPIE Defense + Security, marking a turning point in how riflescopes are tested and produced. The launch runs from 3 PM to 4 PM at booth #521 and includes champagne toasts alongside a live demonstration of the device in action. This ColliMeter represents a new and versatile optical measurement platform built to reshape riflescope performance and production environments. As the first commercially focused solution for riflescope parallax measurement, it also supports red dot sights and basic collimation testing through dedicated software, creating a comprehensive alignment system for modern optics manufacturing. 

Join Optikos on April 28th, 2026, for the official launch of the ColliMeter for Riflescopes at SPIE Defense + Security. From 3–4 PM at Booth #521, enjoy a champagne toast and a live demonstration of this breakthrough in riflescope testing.

What makes the ColliMeter stand out is how it replaces the old way of doing things to adjust the scopes in question. Traditional parallax testing is highly dependent on technicians that can visually assess reticle alignment. Usually, these professionals adjust the sights by hand and rely on experience to spot movement against the target plane. The ColliMeter uses a proven triangulation method via scanning pentaprism to deliver objective, data-driven measurements with machine-grade consistency. This means skilled operators are freed from repetitive testing duties and can focus on higher-value work instead. For manufacturers, this translates to optimized accuracy and standardized quality control. Lastly, buyers can find a way to evaluate scopes that has never existed before. In short, the new ColliMeter for Riflescopes turns guesswork into precision and does it in a way that elevates an entire industry in defense. 

Optikos’ Alignment Turned Refractive Aerial Imaging (left) and ColliMeter for Riflescopes (right) demos

Don’t Miss the Optikos Deep Dives into Thermal, Mechanical, and Production Advances 

During the conference, Optikos will present three specific technical sessions that address core engineering challenges of today’s defense modernizing processes. 

The first talk will be given by Optikos IQ Lab^™ Manager Kevin Rovelli on “Emerging techniques for dual-band optical metrology testing over temperature”. The presentation will discuss the validating methodology for optical performance across two separate spectral bands while subjecting components to extreme thermal cycling. This phenomenon is critical for defense applications because they usually come equipped with modern sensors that have to reliably operate in volatile thermal environments like high-altitudes or desert grounds. Without a rigorous validation, optical systems risk calibration drift that can lead to mission-critical failures.  

Rovelli’s second talk, “Optomechanical techniques for optical compensation of high-performance imaging lenses” will focus on the structural integration of optical elements. Kevin will present data on how mechanical stress and housing deformation are compensated for during the assembly process. In defense applications, where equipment is subjected to shock, vibration, and recoil, maintaining diffraction-limited image quality is non-negotiable. These techniques ensure that high-performance lenses remain stable and precise even when mounted on ruggedized platforms, guaranteeing that the “eyes” of the military remain sharp.  

The third presentation, “Automated production flow of lens assemblies enables scalable low-cost” given by Lars Sandström, Director of Business Strategy at Optikos, will describe the implementation of automated assembly lines for high-precision lens systems. This is vital for the strategic goal of modernizing the US military at scale. To equip a vast array of assets, from individual soldier optics to groups of unmanned vehicles, the industry must adopt leaner manufacturing protocols. This proposed automated workflow enables the mass production of high-specification optical components at a reduced cost which translates into a rapid and affordable development of defense acumen. 

SPIE Defense + Security is the event where the future of defense is being defined through optics. Our engineers at Optikos are ready to demonstrate the complex, high-performance technology capabilities we are able to deploy for the latest defense applications. Join us at booth #521 and start a conversation about your most pressing tech challenge. 

Reach out to Sales@Optikos.com to book a meeting ahead of the show and be sure to RSVP to our LinkedIn Event to stay updated on the latest details.