Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronics Center Magnifies the Microscopic

Manufacturing Microelectronics

Today’s dynamic global security threats require solutions both big and small – solutions living within Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronics Center. A radar system which once required as many as eight transmit-receive modules for certain functions, each the size of a stick of gum, now is made possible with one tiny chip measuring less than a square inch. This is just one example living across the hundreds of systems, leveraging microelectronics. Our quest to improve performance, reduce size weight and power and provide a broader variety of materials for overall survivability have been accomplished because of the technological might of this center.  

“The Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center produces the most advanced solutions for multifunction sensing, security and computing because of the incredible technologies and vast material sets we are working with,” said Vern Boyle, vice president of the Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center. “Not only can we provide onshore solutions to preserve the national interest, but we can also scale to accommodate the unique needs of the defense industrial base and commercial industries.” 

From satellites and telescopes currently in orbit, to radars used in combat today – all are powered by our microchips, designed and developed within Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronics Center.  

“We keep out-inventing ourselves,” said Matt Hicks, director of foundries, test and advanced packaging, Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center. “We’re pushing the boundaries of what physics and chemistry allow for our next-generation systems- both defense and commercial.”  

From then to now 

Initiatives used in Northrop Grumman foundries helped the United States level the playing field in Microelectronics  fabrication using silicon and compound semiconductor devices. Our chips have been used to support the technology in the Lunar Camera that captured man’s first steps on the moon, the development of cell-phones and in-flight wi-fi, the most advanced military radars and satellites, and the needs of next-generation systems.  These have all been part of Northrop Grumman’s microelectronics story linking back to decades of expertise in designing advanced solutions.  

With current programs, the Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center is testing and perfecting transistor technology, working across the defense industrial base and commercial landscape to develop key technologies that will be integrated into ground breaking systems. “We are working to create the very best microelectronics solutions for systems and platforms to deliver success for the warfighter time and time again,” said Ben Heying, director of microelectronics at Northrop Grumman’s Space Park foundry. “Our solutions support battlespace missions but also link to our everyday lives in many of the more advanced commercial applications that we produce.” 

“For future missions, microelectronics expertise is critical to developing emerging capabilities and improving the size, weight and power of future systems. Our advanced packaging expertise enables us to fit more functionality into a smaller form factor for those smaller platforms that we know are needed in the military world,” said Dave Shahin, manager of the advanced packaging business unit for the Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center. “We are well-positioned to provide many of these capabilities, and even expand them here on U.S. soil to meet our customers’ needs across the domestic industrial base.” 

Drive toward mission success

Today, Northrop Grumman’s secure microelectronics facilities produce millions of microchips a year, with the critical, advanced and mission-tailored manufacturing process from design to deployment. Northrop Grumman continues building on successful internal fabrication and packaging, most recently including a major capability and capacity expansion of our proven wafer post-processing facility in Florida, planning to more than triple volume in the coming years. Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronics Center is defining possible every day. What comes next is immeasurable.

*****

IMAGE CAPTION:

Northrop Grumman’s secure microelectronics facilities produce millions of microchips a year, with the tailored design, fabrication and packaging needed to solve our nation’s most advanced military and commercial challenges. (Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman)