The Microelectronics Commons NSTXL (National Security Technology Accelerator) has announced the DoW Year 2 awards, with more than $200M invested across 26 projects nationwide and the Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub earning continued support for multiple high-impact efforts already advancing U.S. microelectronics innovation. These awards recognize real progress and growing momentum in technologies critical to national security and domestic manufacturing.
For the SWAP Hub, Year 2 awards include:
• Integrated RF GaN ($6.1M) led by Arizona State University to advance next-generation 5G/6G and defense power amplifier systems with greater efficiency, bandwidth, and smaller form factors.
• SMART ($6.8M) led by Alphacore Inc. through the SWAP Hub to develop a breakthrough Joint Communication and Sensing transceiver for communications, radar, and space-based systems.
• SLEAC continuing development of low-energy, radiation-hardened AI computing for satellites and space applications.
• Multi-MHz continuing work on ultra-fast, high-density radar power converters for advanced defense systems.
• ARC-V ($12.5M total program) led by Idaho Scientific to develop a security-hardened processor chiplet for aerospace, defense, and future commercial markets.
From AI hardware and secure processors to advanced wireless systems and power electronics, these continued investments reinforce Arizona’s growing leadership in the national microelectronics ecosystem and the SWAP Hub’s mission to accelerate innovation from lab to fab.
From NSTXL…
Microelectronics Commons: Forging the Arsenal of Freedom through Domestic Innovation
Microelectronics Commons received its first year of project awards in September 2024, when Government leadership visited three of the eight Microelectronics Commons Hubs to announce $270 million in funding across technical projects. Following one year of project execution, the DoW has announced year 2 awards for the projects that have since demonstrated strong potential to accelerate and strengthen domestic prototyping capabilities. The selected projects span six critical technology focus areas and represent all eight innovation Hubs.
“Microelectronics are the backbone of our modern military,” stated the Hon. Mike Dodd, Assistant Secretary of War. “This continued investment in the Microelectronics Commons Program is critical to ensuring that the United States maintains its competitive edge and that our warfighters have access to the most advanced technologies, securing our ‘Arsenal of Freedom’ for the future.”
From the development of high-voltage power switches to the advancement of energy-efficient and artificial intelligence hardware systems, the projects cover a wide range of both distinctive and broad-scope capabilities, to propel domestic microelectronic innovation forward. To explore all Hub project awards to date, visit the Microelectronics Commons Project Page.
The announcement of the follow-on awards marks a significant step forward for Microelectronics Commons in its goal to ensure that the eight Hubs are self-sustaining. As the ecosystem partner supporting national collaboration across the Hubs, NSTXL is proud to help accelerate this next phase of innovation. Learn more about the Hubs and their missions at https://microelectronicscommons.org/connect.
About Microelectronics Commons
The Microelectronics Commons program established eight innovation Hubs in 2023 to strengthen American manufacturing, supply chains, and national security. By investing in this network of eight regional prototyping Hubs with a focus in six main technical areas – 5G/6G, AI Hardware, Commercial Leap-Ahead, Electromagnetic Warfare, Secure Edge/IoT Computing, and Quantum Technology – the United States is safeguarding our critical microelectronics supply chain. Microelectronics Commons was awarded through the Strategic & Spectrum Missions Advanced Resilient Trusted Systems (S²MARTS) OTA, established by the Naval Surface Warfare Center, Crane Division and managed by NSTXL.
