AIM Photonics Highlights Defense-Focused Photonic Innovations at Pentagon Day

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Written By Kris Light

Exhibit underscores AIM Photonics’ critical role in delivering deployable technologies to the Department of Defense

AIM Photonics brought next-generation photonic technologies to the Pentagon on Tuesday, July 8 for the 2025 DoD ManTech Pentagon Day, demonstrating the Institute’s growing role in advancing national defense through the development of quantum, AI, and bio-sensor technologies.

The annual event, hosted by the Department of Defense Manufacturing Technology Program, showcased more than 50 demonstrations highlighting innovations across the DoD’s Manufacturing Innovation Institutes (MIIs). This marks AIM Photonics’ fourth year participating in the event as one of the MIIs focused on accelerating the transition of emerging technologies into deployable systems.

Wade Cook (left), Executive Director of AIM Photonics, meets with the Honorable Emil Michael (center),Undersecretary of Defense for Research and Development, during a demonstration at the Pentagon. AIM Photonics’ Government Program Manager Nick Usechak and DoD Director of Manufacturing Technology Keith DeVries were also in attendance.

Among the highlights at the AIM Photonics exhibit:

  • A PIC-based LiDAR system by Analog Photonics illustrated defense applications ranging from autonomous navigation to threat detection.

  • A compact in-home diagnostic platform from SiPhox Health, leveraging sensor technology developed at AIM Photonics, demonstrated the power of integrated photonics in health monitoring. The device offers lab-quality biomarker testing in a package 100 times smaller and more affordable than conventional diagnostics.

  • AIM Photonics’ Hands-On Photonic Education (HOPE) Kit, developed with photonic integrated circuits (PICs) fabricated and packaged by AIM Photonics, drew strong interest for its role in preparing the next generation of photonics talent. The kits allow educators to train students in PIC testing and characterization without the complexity and cost of traditional equipment.

The Honorable Emil Michael, Under Secretary of Defense for Research & Engineering, visited AIM Photonics’ exhibit, with a particular interest in the Institute’s LiDAR, quantum and AI enabling technologies.

“The Department of Defense has expressed strong interest in these technology areas in which the Institute excels,” said Wade Cook, executive director of AIM Photonics, who briefed Undersecretary Michael on the Institute’s technology demonstrations. “As the nation’s leading provider of integrated photonics technology solutions serving the defense industrial base, AIM Photonics is well positioned to support these advanced capabilities and contribute to our national defense.”

Staff representatives from the Manufacturing Innovation Institutes gathered at the Pentagon for the DoD Manufacturing Technology Program’s annual Pentagon Day. 

The Institute also drew attention for its BIO INSPECT initiative—a government-directed project that brings together MIIs and industry, including BioFABUSA and SiPhox Health, to develop advanced sensors for regenerative medicine. The effort was recently featured in Defense One, reflecting growing interest in photonics-enabled health applications that support military readiness.

“Events like Pentagon Day provide an important opportunity for AIM Photonics—as well as the other MIIs—to demonstrate the tangible progress we’re making on Department of Defense priorities," said Leah Scott, director of Communication and Information Management for AIM Photonics who also represented the Institute at Pentagon Day. "It’s a chance to show the innovative technologies we're developing, as well as the collaborative effort and national impact behind them.”

Kris Light
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