BAE Systems develops future microelectronics for US
BAE Systems to develop next-generation radiation hardened by design (RHBD) microelectronics. (Image: BAE Systems)
BAE Systems has been awarded a contract to design microelectronics, radiation-hardened for use in space.
BAE Systems has been awarded a $60 million contract from the Army Contracting Command to develop certain types of next-generation, radiation-hardened by design microelectronics.
The main goal of the contract is to expand onshore access to state-of-the-art microelectronics technology for the US government and aerospace community.
The limited supply of microelectronics leads to supply chain challenges and time lags for delivery.
With this contract, BAE System’s FAST Labs TM research and development organisations will harness Intel’s commercial foundry process to build a new design library.
This will be used to develop advanced, high-reliability microelectronics and expand the domestic supply of this technology, which can be used for environmentally rugged missions like those occurring in space.
This award opens a roadmap for the US defence and aerospace community to access more advanced process nodes for the development of Application Specific Integrated Circuits.
Currently, the development of RHBD ASICs uses a 45nm process, but with this contract, there is potential to deploy more advanced technology nodes and enables more functionality and faster processing in smaller areas and low power.
You may also like
More from Defence Notes
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Partnership deals surge as industry prepares for defence spending growth]()
Eurosatory 2026: Partnership deals surge as industry prepares for defence spending growth
Dozens of partnership agreements, joint ventures and industrial cooperation arrangements were announced at Eurosatory 2026, highlighting how defence companies are expanding production capacity, localising manufacturing and accelerating capability development in anticipation of rising defence spending.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: New public security needs drive personal protection equipment modernisation]()
Eurosatory 2026: New public security needs drive personal protection equipment modernisation
European law enforcement and public security agencies are entering a new cycle of investment in personal protection equipment (PPE), driven by evolving threat profiles, officer welfare requirements and advances in materials technology.
-
![The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement]()
The speed of relevance: how companies can navigate the new era of European defence procurement
European militaries face a rapidly evolving security landscape and defence production must accelerate to meet surging demand for platforms and equipment. Industry needs to adapt to ensure it gets its products into the hands of the end user, Evelyn Rafferty, Senior Director Aerospace and Defence - Europe at Plexus told Shephard’s Gerrard Cowan.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO's eastern flank]()
Eurosatory 2026: Milrem Robotics puts forward multi-layered defence concept for NATO's eastern flank
Autonomous systems developer Milrem has evolved a model for an interoperable robotised approach to the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), showing how uncrewed systems could provide a multi-layered defence architecture in the air and on land along NATO’s eastern borders.
-
![Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities]()
Eurosatory 2026 to highlight changing defence and security priorities
Eurosatory 2026 will reflect a defence and security sector shaped by conflict, rising government spending, uncrewed systems, multidomain networks and growing demand for sovereign capabilities.
-
![Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP]()
Delays, departures and drama cloud UK defence programmes ahead of absent DIP
The UK defence secretary’s departure suggests that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan is unlikely to meet the funding demands of the armed forces, with consequences for procurement and the UK’s standing at a NATO summit weeks away.
