Microelectronics Technology Development and Support (DMEA)
Abstract
The Defense Microelectronics Activity (DMEA) mission is to leverage advanced technologies to provide microelectronics solutions across the entire spectrum of technology development and system acquisition phases. It is critical to National Security for the Department to maintain technological superiority through microelectronics solutions via partnerships with the Defense Industrial Base, and by alternative means when industry is unable or unwilling to provide them. DMEA provides an in-house capability to quickly develop and deliver timely, cost-effective, technically appropriate solutions to sustain weapon systems, to modernize their capabilities, increase their lethality, address new threats, and meet operational demands. DMEA augments its in-house capability through extensive industry and Government partnerships that enable streamlined access to a variety of microelectronics technologies and engineering services to enhance responsiveness, and that develop sources for advanced microelectronics solutions. DMEA’s capabilities are critical in an atmosphere of diminishing domestic semiconductor manufacturing capability and increasing worldwide supply chain risks. The Department has very little influence over the microelectronics industry; the defense market represents less than 0.1% share of the total global semiconductor market. Access to mainstream, State of the Practice (SOTP) and State of the Art (SOTA) technologies is therefore a major and growing challenge. Threats to defense microelectronics include counterfeiting, latent vulnerabilities, malicious insertions, reliability issues particular to military environments, consolidation and off-shoring of manufacturing, rapid obsolescence and diminishing technology availability coming from an unpredictable and unsecured supply chain. In addition, as the Department maintains its weapon systems longer than originally planned, extended use increases demand for sustainment and modernization, which further intensifies the need for DMEA’s unique capabilities, as well as continued development, and incorporation, of quantifiable assurance mechanisms. DMEA provides the Department with engineering expertise and laboratories to address the myriad microelectronics issues and to meet military requirements across the entire spectrum of technology research and development, acquisition, and long-term support. DMEA applies its specialized capabilities to resolve microelectronics issues for hundreds of distinct Department programs across the acquisition lifecycle every year. In addition, DMEA assists the Combatant Commands (COCOMs) including Special Ops, Cyber, Intelligence, and the Radiation-Hard communities. DMEA also provides the Department with front door access to SOTA microelectronics design and manufacturing capabilities with the added benefit of accredited facilities and processes, which employ quantifiable assurance mechanisms, to meet confidentiality, integrity, availability, performance and delivery needs. DMEA also provides the Services and Defense Agencies with a competitive cadre of accredited suppliers and advanced hardware assurance capabilities that can meet the needs of mission critical/essential systems for microelectronics components.
Document Details
- Document Type
- R2 Budgetary Justification
- Publication Date
- Oct 01, 2023
- Source ID
- 0603720S_3_0400_PB_2023
- Change Summary Explanation
- FY 2023 funding increase reflects the fact that the FY 2022 President’s Budget request did not include out-year funding.
- Service Agency Name
- Defense Logistics Agency
Entities
Organizations
- Defense Logistics Agency
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