What Optical Support does

Optical Support, Inc. (OSI) is a Tucson, Arizona-based precision optics manufacturer founded in 2015 that designs, machines, aligns, and tests custom optical and optomechanical instruments for demanding aerospace, defense, semiconductor, biomedical, automotive, cinematography, and telecommunications customers. The company operates a vertically integrated 22,000 sq ft facility that combines optical and optomechanical design using industry-standard tools (Zemax, FRED, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, MasterCAM) with in-house CNC and wire EDM machining (HAAS and Mitsubishi equipment with Mitutoyo CMM inspection) and precision optical alignment and testing (Trioptics, Opto-Alignment, Zygo interferometers, Optikos MTF, and 2,000 sq ft of Class 100 to 10,000 cleanrooms), delivering alignment precision to 1 μm and machining tolerances to 0.0002 inches under an ISO 9001:2015 / AS9100D-certified quality management system.

The company monetizes through custom, project-based design-build contracts with enterprise aerospace, defense, and precision-industry customers, with engagements spanning conceptual design through prototyping and production, typically structured as multi-year programs. Named customers include NASA (James Webb Space Telescope program) and U.S. government defense programs. Optical Support was acquired by Rocket Lab (NASDAQ: RKLB) in February 2026 and now operates as a subsidiary within Rocket Lab's space systems operations, contributing capacity and capability for national security payload programs including the Space Development Agency's Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture and the Golden Dome missile defense initiative.

Name

Optical Support

Legal name

Optical Support, Inc.

Website

https://opticalsupportinc.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Optical Support, Inc. is a Tucson, Arizona-based precision optics manufacturer that designs, machines, and aligns custom optical and optomechanical instruments for aerospace, defense, and adjacent precision-industry customers, including NASA and U.S. defense programs, and is now a Rocket Lab subsidiary.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Precision Optical Instruments

NAICS

Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing (33451), Other Measuring and Controlling Device Manufacturing (334519)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Measuring & Controlling Devices, Nec (3829)

akta.pro primary industry

Optoelectronic Components (LEDs, photodiodes, optocouplers, optical sensors) (IMAGAJAF)

Keywords

• Precision optical instruments
• Optomechanical engineering
• CNC machining services
• Optical alignment testing
• Aerospace defense optics

Headquarters

HQ city

Tucson

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Custom Optical Instrument Design and Manufacturing: Design, prototype, and manufacture custom precision optical and optomechanical instruments for aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and other precision industries. Engagements span conceptual design through turn-key production, with revenue derived from engineering services, machined components, and integrated optical systems. Vertically integrated operations allow simultaneous engineering and fabrication to meet tight schedules.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Optical Support, Inc. (OSI) designs, prototypes, and manufactures custom precision optical and optomechanical instruments under one roof, combining optical design, precision CNC/EDM machining, and optical alignment and testing. The company delivers turn-key production units and engineering services to aerospace, defense, semiconductor, biomedical, automotive, cinematography, and telecommunications customers, achieving optical alignment precision to 1 micrometer and CNC machining tolerances to .0002 inches.

Product overview

Optical Support, Inc. (OSI) is a custom optical instrument manufacturer offering three integrated service areas: Optical and Optomechanical Design (engineering design using Zemax, FRED, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, and MasterCAM), Precision CNC Machining (tolerances to .0002 inches with in-house CMM inspection), and Precision Alignment and Testing (precision to 1um with cleanrooms). The company operates as a vertically integrated provider combining these capabilities to deliver turn-key solutions from conceptual design through production.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Optical and Optomechanical Design Engineering design services for precision optical instruments, metrology tools, and alignment equipment, leveraging over 150 years of combined optical and optomechanical engineering experience and industry-standard software (Zemax, FRED, SolidWorks, SolidWorks Simulation, MasterCAM) to deliver CAD models that export directly to CNC machine code. Targeted at aerospace, defense, semiconductor, and other precision industry customers from conceptual design through turn-key production.
• Precision CNC Machining High-precision CNC and EDM machining services with tolerances as tight as .0002 inches, using HAAS machining centers (ST-30, UMC-750, VF-2, VF-9), Mitsubishi MV1200S Wire EDM, Renishaw probe systems, and in-house Mitutoyo CRYSTA APEX CMM inspection (2 micrometer uncertainty). Serves aerospace and semiconductor customers needing robust, high-precision metal hardware meeting demanding specifications and schedules.
• Precision Alignment and Testing Optical alignment and testing services achieving precision to 1 micrometer, backed by 60+ years of personnel experience and equipped with Trioptics OptiCentric centering stations, Opto-Alignment Ultra Precision alignment stations (800 lb and 1000 lb capacity), Zygo interferometers, Optikos MTF test station, FARO Arm, granite optical assembly tables, and 2,000 sq ft of Class 100 to 10,000 cleanrooms for sensitive optical assembly and integration.

Quantifiable outcome

• Precision to 1μm in optical alignment and testing
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Geost (Rocket Lab subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Optical Support had an established working relationship with Geost prior to Rocket Lab's acquisition of both companies. Geost was acquired by Rocket Lab in August 2025. The pre-existing OSI-Geost relationship facilitated integration into Rocket Lab's space systems operations and contributed to the acquisition rationale.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Optimax Systems: Precision custom optics manufacturer offering design, fabrication, coating, and metrology for aerospace, defense, and semiconductor customers. Direct competitor to Optical Support in custom optical assemblies and optomechanical sub-systems.

Broad incumbents

• Edmund Optics: Global supplier of optical components, assemblies, and imaging systems serving aerospace, defense, biomedical, and semiconductor markets. Larger incumbent with catalog plus custom capabilities that overlap OSI's precision optics and optomechanics work.
• Thorlabs: Vertically integrated photonics manufacturer of optical components, optomechanics, and test/measurement instruments. Comparable in vertical integration (design-to-machining-to-test) and breadth of customers in photonics, aerospace, and life sciences.
• Jenoptik: German precision optics and laser systems manufacturer serving semiconductor equipment, aerospace, and defense markets. Comparable custom optical and optomechanical sub-systems business for industrial OEM customers.
• Coherent (formerly II-VI): Large photonics and optoelectronic components/platforms company with aerospace & defense, semiconductor, and instrumentation exposure. Overlaps OSI's precision optical component and assembly capabilities at much larger scale.
• Ball Aerospace (BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems): Major defense and space prime with deep in-house precision optical and optomechanical instrument capabilities for space telescopes and national security payloads (e.g., JWST instruments). Closest large-program comparator for OSI's flight-qualified optics work.
• L3Harris Technologies: Defense prime with significant space and ISR optics business, including precision pointing, alignment, and optomechanical assemblies for national security space programs. Direct overlap with OSI's defense customer set.
• Northrop Grumman: Space and defense prime with large-scale precision optical and optomechanical engineering capabilities across JWST-class programs, missile defense, and space surveillance. Represents the upper-scale incumbent benchmark for OSI's capabilities.

Emerging players

• LightPath Technologies: Designer and manufacturer of custom optical components and assemblies using molded glass and infrared materials for defense, industrial, and telecommunications customers. Smaller-scale comparable in custom precision optics manufacturing.
• Precision Optics Corporation: Small-cap custom optics and optical systems manufacturer serving medical, defense, and industrial end markets with design, assembly, and testing capabilities. Closest small-cap public comparable to OSI's mix of custom optical assemblies and instrument integration.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Optical Support