IBM wins new contract with Department of Defense

image of micrelectronics | IBM & Department of Defense

Key Takeaways

IBM has secured a 33-month contract with the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) to enhance the Department of Defense’s microelectronics supply chain for critical mission platforms.

The collaboration under the 'Trusted Foundry Access II program' aims to increase domestic capacity for advanced, secured, and trusted semiconductors amid global supply chain challenges.

IBM has over 20 years of experience providing secured microelectronics and supply chain services, emphasizing the critical role of microelectronics in national security systems.

IBM is working with the Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) in the US under a new 33-month contract to provide security services designed to enhance the Department of Defense’s (DoD) microelectronics supply chain for critical mission platforms.

As part of the ‘Trusted Foundry Access II program’, IBM will continue to establish secured microelectronics manufacturing flows at commercial state-of-the-art fabrication facilities.

In a time when global supply chains have become increasingly fragile and the US is facing diminished secure microelectronics supply, IBM’s work can help DMEA increase domestic capacity of advanced, secured, and trusted semiconductors for key military and national security programs.

IBM has provided secured microelectronics and supply chain services in support of the Trusted Foundry program for 20 years, helping DMEA to enable the manufacture of US-based advanced microelectronics following stringent federal government security standards.

Susan Wedge, managing partner, US public and federal market at IBM Consulting, said: “Supply chain challenges for secure microelectronics are a serious national security concern. Microelectronics are at the heart of all critical systems and IBM Consulting is pleased to continue to provide the DoD security and technical services to help safeguard the ongoing supply of U.S.-made microelectronics critical to national security systems.”

Aman Gahoonia, acting director of the DoD trusted access program office, said: “Since the inception of the TAPO at DMEA, IBM has been an important partner, providing trust to advanced ASIC semiconductor technologies for the DoD’s most advanced weapon systems platforms. This engagement is just one step the DoD is taking to ensure the U.S. has continued secure access to advance microelectronics manufacturing capabilities.”