The agreement forms part of the government's first phase of its Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes - Commercial (RAMP-C) program that aims to enable the use of a US-based commercial semiconductor foundry ecosystem to create custom edge and integrated circuits as well as the commercial products required for Department of Defense systems.
“One of the most profound lessons of the past year is the strategic importance of semiconductors, and the value to the United States of having a strong domestic semiconductor industry. Intel is the sole American company both designing and manufacturing logic semiconductors at the leading edge of technology," said Pat Gelsinger (pictured), CEO of Intel.
"When we launched Intel Foundry Services earlier this year, we were excited to have the opportunity to make our capabilities available to a wider range of partners, including in the U.S. government, and it is great to see that potential being fulfilled through programs like RAMP-C.”
Under the terms of the agreement, Intel Foundry Services will partner with the likes of IBM, Cadence and Synopsys, to design and manufacture assured integrated circuits by creating a semiconductor IP ecosystem to develop test chips on Intel 18A processing technology.
“The RAMP-C program will enable both commercial foundry customers and the Department of Defense to take advantage of Intel’s significant investments in leading-edge process technologies,” said Randhir Thakur, president of Intel Foundry Services.
“Along with our customers and ecosystem partners, including IBM, Cadence, Synopsys and others, we will help bolster the domestic semiconductor supply chain and ensure the United States maintains leadership in both R&D and advanced manufacturing. We look forward to a long-term collaboration with the U.S. government as we deliver RAMP-C program milestones.”
The news follows the decision by the US Department of Defense to diversify its microprocessors procurement by using commercially available technologies developed by US companies. In line with this Intel also confirmed its intention to become a major provider of U.S.-based capacity for foundry customers.
