By Brian Wilbur, VP sales and solutions engineering
The risk of compromise and counterfeiting is significantly heightened with microchips manufactured overseas. Autonomous systems including UAS and C-UAS can be particularly sensitive to unauthorized backdoor access that facilitates data harvesting or disrupts operations. By transitioning from COTS or FPGA solutions to custom ASIC solutions, systems designers can increase security, boost performance, and enhance overall operational efficiency. By doing the design leveraging SkyWater’s Trusted, and domestically manufactured environment, designers can achieve the increased security and necessary design control to ensure mission success.
Tailored defense technology solutions that offer high reliability
For U.S. defense contractors, finding defense technology solutions that offer high reliability and are tailored to meet specific operational needs is key. Off-the-shelf components, while readily available, often fall short in meeting the unique requirements of defense applications and often result in design or system performance compromises. ASICs built on SkyWater’s ASIC platforms enable customers to integrate multiple functions into a single custom chip which reduces the need for additional components and their potential for unauthorized access or misuse. An ASIC design ensures optimal performance, enhanced reliability and offers the additional benefits of the smallest form-factor available, reduced power, and greater operational efficiency. In addition, ASICs can also extend the lifecycle of drone fleets by providing a more stable, long-term supply solution compared to FPGAs.
The risk of intellectual property theft escalates when production is offshored, allowing foreign manufacturers to duplicate and exploit proprietary technologies. Domestic chip production inside SkyWater’s Cat1A Trusted foundry addresses these security and intellectual property concerns, enabling defense contractors — and commercial companies as well — to focus more effectively on their operational goals and production schedules, without having to also worry about their IP falling into the wrong hands.
Made in the USA: SkyWater is America’s Foundry
Today, it’s security first. The shift toward domestically sourced electronics is reshaping the U.S. government’s approach to securing drone fleets. Reliance on off-the-shelf chips from China, Taiwan, and other Far East regions — selected for their availability and compliance with specifications — is becoming outdated with a growing emphasis on national security, government sponsors are increasingly advocating for the procurement of custom chips from trusted domestic foundries. Even a minor modification in a chip’s circuitry, seemingly innocuous, can enable unauthorized data transmission or introduce faults deliberately.
Working with government customers is at the core of our business
We understand the unique challenges and requirements that come with government contracts, including compliance with rigorous standards and handling sensitive information. Our extensive experience in this field means that we are well-equipped to manage the usual volumes and specific needs of defense contractors. Partnering with SkyWater means leveraging our deep knowledge and proven track record in government collaborations.
Shelve the foreign chips and choose a tailored design for superior performance!
We invite innovators who want to move beyond the limitations of off-the-shelf components and elevate their drone capabilities to connect with us. If you’re ready, you can board a SkyWater MPW shuttle now — or you can work with one of our design partners to design an ASIC to fit your specific needs. With SkyWater, you get a solution that is precisely engineered to your specifications, ensuring that your drones perform flawlessly in even the most demanding environments.
Tape out on SkyWater’s 90nm or 130nm MPW
If you’re not ready to commit to a full reticle set, our Multi Project Wafer programs allow multiple projects to share a single wafer, significantly reducing the cost and time associated with the development and manufacturing of custom ASICs. MPW programs are particularly beneficial for defense contractors looking to prototype and test new designs.
By participating in MPW runs, you can validate your designs quickly and cost-effectively, ensuring that your innovations are ready for full-scale deployment when needed.
Procure custom, next-gen ASICs from a Trusted domestic foundry on a timeline, scale and price that wins contract funding
In the competitive and high-stakes world of defense contracting, the choice between off-the-shelf components and ASICs can make a significant difference in the performance and reliability of your drones. SkyWater offers a unique combination of tailored design, U.S.-based manufacturing and unparalleled expertise in government collaborations.
During the visit to SkyWater, the discussion focused on the company’s value chain for both Department of Defense and commercial technologies and how it is leveraging public-private partnerships at its semiconductor manufacturing sites. The delegation toured the 
Sonderman continued, “We look forward to supporting efforts that stem from the CHIPS Act by leveraging our commercial, government and academic partners to bolster U.S. manufacturing, develop the nation’s workforce and improve our country’s competitiveness.”