EOTech

EOTech

by

electro-optic tech

created in 1995
Ann Arbor, Michigan

  • 1972 University of Michigan
    – Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM)
  • 1986 ERIM presented holography weapon (electro-optic) sight prototypes to the US Army for use with helicopter gunships and anti-aircraft artillery
  • 1995 ERIM as incubator, subsidiary EOTECH created to apply holographic technology to small firearms sights
  • 1996 EOTECH introduced the first holography weapon sight (HWS) at SHOT Show in conjunction with Bushnell
  • 1996 won the Optic of the Year Award
  • 2001 introduced military and law enforcement HWS models
  • November 2004 archery sight was discontinued
  • 2005 EOTECH acquired by L-3 Communication (now L3Harris)
    – one of the world’s largest defense contractors
  • 2015, the U.S. Government sued EOTECH for civil fraud
    – EOTECH settled for $25.6 million
  • 2016 EOTECH introduced VUDU precision rifle scopes
  • 2018 Golden Bullseye Optic of the Year award
  • 2020 EOTECH officially separated from L3Harris
  • 2020 purchased by American Holoptics

 

 

EOTech

About EOTECH

EOTECH is an American optics company that pioneered the holographic weapon sight, a red-dot-style optic that projects a reticle image so shooters can fire quickly with both eyes open. The company was founded in 1995 with roots in the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan (ERIM), a not-for-profit research institute. Its first holographic sight was introduced in January 1996 and shown at that year’s SHOT Show. EOTECH sights went on to wide use with the U.S. military, special operations units and federal law enforcement, including the EXPS3 and the SU-253/PEQ grenade launcher sight, and in 2018 the company won a $26.3 million, five-year contract from U.S. Special Operations Command.

EOTECH spent years as part of defense contractor L-3. In 2015 the U.S. government sued L-3 for civil fraud, alleging it hid defects in the sights; L-3 settled for $25.6 million. In 2020 EOTECH separated from L-3 and was bought by American Holoptics, a subsidiary of Koucar Management, and in 2021 it acquired the Photonics division of Intevac. As of 2026 EOTECH is privately held and based in Plymouth, Michigan, and its holographic sights and magnifiers remain popular with civilian AR-15 owners as well as military users.

Key Facts

  • 1995: EOTECH founded with roots at the Environmental Research Institute of Michigan
  • January 1996: first holographic weapon sight introduced, shown at SHOT Show
  • 2015: U.S. government sues parent company L-3 for civil fraud; L-3 settles for $25.6 million
  • 2018: wins a $26.3 million, five-year USSOCOM contract
  • 2020: separates from L-3 and is bought by American Holoptics
  • 2021: acquires the Photonics division of Intevac

Timeline of key dates for EOTECH

Sources

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