Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages: Solutions to Obsolescence in Microcircuits.
Abstract
Why are we experiencing major Diminishing Manufacturing Sources and Material Shortages (DMSMS) problems in semiconductors and microcircuits? I contend that a noted Defense Acquisition expert, Dr. Jacques Gansler in Defense Conversion, correctly notes; 'The government has mandated specialized specifications, standards, procurement and accountability practices, etc., forcing its electronics supplier's plants to be largely isolated from the company's commercial operations. As a result, five of the top ten U.S. semiconductor producers have stated that they refuse defense business because of the burdens and special requirements the government imposes. Thus, the military pays a high price for small quantities of electronic equipment that often include obsolete processes, parts, and software. Clearly, this area is crying out for a change in the way that defense does business.' I will assess the state of the DMSMS program and attempt to determine how the number of potential obsolescence situations in Department of Defense (DoD) electronics and semiconductor requirements can be minimized. My assessment begins with a detailed discussion of DMSMS to include how obsolescence problems are identified; DMSMS organization development and research sources; DMSMS case verification process, item analysis and problem resolutions. I will conclude with the current Department of Army, Office of Secretary of Defense, and Joint Office of Naval Research/Navy Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) Small Business Innovative Research initiatives, to include my selection of the initiative that I consider to be most successfully implemented. My assessments will include a discussion of the current macro-economic assessment of DMSMS in the semiconductor and electronics sector, the shrinking supplier base, the declining DoD budgets impact on the semiconductor vendor base, and the NAVSUP VisiCom, Inc. co
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 1997
- Accession Number
- ADA331473
Entities
People
- Bonnie L. Pyett
Organizations
- Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy