DoD Silicon Investment Strategy

Abstract : Silicon integrated circuit technology has emerged as one of the most essential of the core technologies in the U.S. military arsenal. The performance advantage offered by this technology has led to its pervasive use in the electronics of practically every U.S. military system and has accounted for much of the success of the nation's force multiplication strategy the ability of a small, technologically superior U.S. force to decisively defeat a much larger enemy. In recent years, however, the once-formidable U.S. superiority in silicon-based integrated circuit technology has all but vanished in a number of military critical areas-the result of sharply declining R&D investment, the loss of a number of related high-volume commercial markets, and the skyrocketing cost of merely staying competitive in this field. (Do not be misled by the stunning success of U.S. military during Desert Storm: Much of that success came from% electronics developed during the 196Os and 197Os, when the U.S. was still clearly the world leader in integrated circuit technology.) But even in those areas where the U.S. integrated circuit industry continues to be strong, the silicon device technology used in U.S. defense systems is years behind internationally available commercial technology-the result of lengthy system development cycles and life cycles, outmoded procurement practices, and generally unsuccessful attempts to provide unique capabilities for defense systems through use of non-mainstream technologies. In these times of rapidly changing defense structures and threats, it is essential that the U.S. continue to present a credible deterrent to would-be aggressors. A strong military electronics capability based on world-class silicon integrated circuit technology can provide that deterrence-and, if need be, a flexible and effective response to any aggressive act.