U.S. Department of Defense Invests $11.8M in Oklahoma Optics Facility

The investment will establish new capability for processing materials needed for critical optical applications.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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The U.S. Department of Defense announced a $11.8 million investment in Defense Production Act (DPA) Title III funds to Umicore Optical Materials USA Inc (UOM). The investment will be used to establish new capability in Quapaw, Oklahoma for processing materials needed for critical optical applications such as advanced optics, night vision systems, surveillance systems, and other electro-optical and infrared technologies.

Why it matters

This investment supports the Administration's goal to increase domestic production of processed critical minerals and other derivative products, which are essential components in national security systems. It also helps onshore critical material capability that supports the production of these important technologies.

The details

The $11.8 million investment will be used by UOM to establish new processing capability in Quapaw, Oklahoma. This investment was delayed due to a previous government shutdown but is now being made using funds from the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022. The investment is overseen by the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate, which is part of the Department of Defense's DPA Purchases Office.

  • The Department of Defense announced the $11.8 million investment on January 30, 2026.
  • The investment was delayed due to a previous government shutdown.

The players

Umicore Optical Materials USA Inc (UOM)

A company that will establish new capability in Quapaw, Oklahoma for processing materials needed for critical optical applications.

Jeffrey Frankston

The Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Resilience, which oversees the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate.

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What they’re saying

“UOM is an important part of the optics supply chain. We look forward to partnering with them to expand these capabilities.”

— Jeffrey Frankston, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Resilience (Mirage News)

The takeaway

This investment highlights the U.S. government's focus on bolstering domestic production of critical materials and components needed for national security technologies. It demonstrates a commitment to onshoring supply chains and reducing reliance on foreign sources for these essential materials.