<div id="readability-page-1"><article>ROCHESTER, NEW YORK, Dec. 16, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX) (“Syntec Optics” or the “Company”), a leading provider of technology products to defense, biomedical, communications, and consumer end-market leaders, today announced it has received a new order to make optics that can enable both day and nighttime readable AR displays. Syntec's lightweight, high-clarity optics will enable US warfighters to maintain focus in high-stress, long-duration combat. VP of business development and delivery, Matt Carey, said, &#34;It is great to have Syntec's innovations in the redefined battlefield as part of the US domestic manufacturing supply chain.&#34; Dean Rudy, CFO of Syntec Optics, said, &#34;Syntec is continuing to prioritize its investments in next-generation products that allow the US to have the most advanced military in the world.&#34; In 2019, Syntec received a grant from the Night Vision &amp; Electronic Sensors Directorate (NVESD) at US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) to fine-tune proprietary features of prism-making technology. Nano-machined, replicative-molding, thin-film-coating, and optical-assembly prototypes were developed for the U.S. Army. The intent was to show various Department of Defense agencies what could be achieved with free-form prisms and that they were affordable. Soldier lethality, situational awareness, and operational effectiveness are important to the US Department of Defense. Syntec Optics, which already had nearly a decade of experience in groundbreaking prism optics, performed very well. The US Army was very pleased. Under the current OEM customer order, Syntec will provide optics for extended-reality (XR) prototypes to meet the rigors of modern warfare. Nearly 15 years ago, Syntec Optics began working on lightweighting, clarity, and other advancements for optical prism assemblies used in augmented-reality systems for US defense pilots. The company made further manufacturing advances in 2024. In the new purchase order, Syntec's lightweight optics will deliver high clarity and enable Micro-LED imaging through a visor. The AR and VR market in defense is valued at USD 1.68 billion in 2025 and is forecast to reach USD 4.34 billion in 2030, growing at a 20.9% CAGR. About Syntec Optics Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX), headquartered in Rochester, NY, is one of the largest custom and diverse end-market optics and photonics manufacturers in the United States. Operating for over two decades, Syntec Optics runs a state-of-the-art facility with extensive core capabilities of various optics manufacturing processes, both horizontally and vertically integrated, to provide a competitive advantage for mission-critical OEMs. As more products become light-enabled, Syntec Optics continues to add more product lines, including recent Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite optics for communication, lightweight night vision goggle optics for defense, biomedical optics for defense, and data center optics for Artificial Intelligence. To learn more, visit www.syntecoptics.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”) and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain financial forecasts and projections. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including statements as to the transactions contemplated by the business combination and related agreements, future results of operations and financial position, revenue and other metrics, planned products and services, business strategy and plans, objectives of management for future operations of Syntec Optics, market size, and growth opportunities, competitive position and technological and market trends, are forward-looking statements. Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including “may,” “should,” “expect,” “intend,” “will,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “predict,” “plan,” “targets,” “projects,” “could,” “would,” “continue,” “forecast” or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors (some of which are beyond the control of Syntec Optics), which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by Syntec Optics and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations which include, but are not limited to: 1) risk outlined in any prior SEC filings; 2) ability of Syntec Optics to successfully increase market penetration into its target markets; 3) the addressable markets that Syntec Optics intends to target do not grow as expected; 4) the loss of any key executives; 5) the loss of any relationships with key suppliers including suppliers abroad; 6) the loss of any relationships with key customers; 7) the inability to protect Syntec Optics’ patents and other intellectual property; 8) the failure to successfully execute manufacturing of announced products in a timely manner or at all, or to scale to mass production; 9) costs related to any further business combination; 10) changes in applicable laws or regulations; 11) the possibility that Syntec Optics may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; 12) Syntec Optics’ estimates of its growth and projected financial results for the future and meeting or satisfying the underlying assumptions with respect thereto; 13) the impact of any pandemic, including any mutations or variants thereof and the Russian/Ukrainian or Israeli conflict, and any resulting effect on business and financial conditions; 14) inability to complete any investments or borrowings in connection with any organic or inorganic growth; 15) the potential for events or circumstances that result in Syntec Optics’ failure to timely achieve the anticipated benefits of Syntec Optics’ customer arrangements; and 16) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the sections entitled “Risk Factors” and “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in prior SEC filings including registration statement on Form S-4 filed with the SEC. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Nothing in this press release should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Syntec Optics does not give any assurance that Syntec Optics will achieve its expected results. Syntec Optics does not undertake any duty to update these forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by law. For further information, please contact: Investor Relations InvestorRelations@syntecoptics.com SOURCE: Syntec Optics Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: OPTX) <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti/query-bmY9T1RZd01qazNOeU0zTXpJME1qYzJJekl5TmpNeE16az0?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1" height="1" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/ti/query-bmY9T1RZd01qazNOeU0zTXpJME1qYzJJekl5TmpNeE16az0"/> <img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/MzM1M2EwMzAtOGVlYy00NGQxLWFjYWItMTQyODc5NGE5ZjUxLTEyNzQ2ODktMjAyNS0xMi0xNi1lbg==/tiny/Syntec-Optics.png?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="1" height="1" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://ml.globenewswire.com/media/MzM1M2EwMzAtOGVlYy00NGQxLWFjYWItMTQyODc5NGE5ZjUxLTEyNzQ2ODktMjAyNS0xMi0xNi1lbg==/tiny/Syntec-Optics.png"/></article></div>

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Syntec Optics (Nasdaq: OPTX) has received a new order to produce advanced optics for US soldiers' next-generation AR systems. These optics will enhance day and nighttime readability and improve focus in combat. The company has a history of innovation in prism optics and has previously worked with the US Army. The AR and VR defense market is projected to grow significantly. Syntec Optics continues to expand its product lines, including optics for LEO satellites and night vision goggles.

Syntec Optics (Nasdaq: OPTX) to Make Advanced Optics for US Soldiers' Next Generation Augmented Reality (AR) Systems | OPTX Stock News