# Department of War Invests in Radiation-Hardened Chip Production

The Department of War has awarded BAE Systems a **$16 million** investment under the Defense Production Act Title III program to restore and expand domestic manufacturing capacity for radiation-hardened microelectronics using 45nm silicon-on-insulator technology. This funding supports the reestablishment of BAE Systems' RH45 Storefront manufacturing capability, which is critical for missile, space, and strategic defense systems. The investment aims to strengthen the trusted U.S. defense semiconductor supply chain, reduce costly redesign and requalification efforts for existing defense programs, and enhance resilience in critical rad-hard ASIC production.

- This funding highlights a strategic priority to secure domestic sources for radiation-hardened chips essential to defense applications
- Procurement professionals should note the emphasis on 45nm silicon-on-insulator technology as a key technical requirement for future defense microelectronics contracts
- Contractors with capabilities in rad-hard ASIC manufacturing or semiconductor supply chain resilience may find emerging opportunities linked to this and related Defense Production Act initiatives
- The investment underscores ongoing efforts to mitigate supply chain risks and maintain qualified product availability for Department of War programs, impacting procurement planning and vendor engagement strategies

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Topics:** Contracting Vehicles
**Published:** July 09, 2026

### Government Entities
- Department of Defense (DoD)
- Department of War (DOW)

### Vendors
- BAE Systems (awardee)
- Pacific Scientific Energetic Materials Co. ()
- Boeing ()
- Lockheed Martin ()
- Honeywell Aerospace ()

### Key Quotes
> RHMs are essential for the departments missile, space and strategic systems and that the project will help ensure qualified products remain available for DOW programs.
> — Michael Cadenazzi, Assistant Secretary for Industrial Base Policy

> Maintaining access to 45nm silicon-on-insulator technology will reduce the need for defense programs to redesign and requalify existing systems.
> — Jeffrey Frankston, Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary for Industrial Base Resilience

### Sources
- [BAE Gets $16 Million DoD Investment To Expand U.S. Rad Hardened Chips - Defense Daily](https://www.defensedaily.com/bae-gets-16-million-dod-investment-to-expand-u-s-rad-hardened-chips/business-financial) - Defense Daily
- [BAE Systems Lands DOW Funding for Radiation-Hardened Chip Production](https://www.executivegov.com/articles/bae-systems-dow-funding-rhm-production) - ExecutiveGov
- [US restores homegrown radiation-hardened chip supply for defense with $16M investment](https://www.msn.com/en-us/money/smallbusiness/us-restores-homegrown-radiation-hardened-chip-supply-for-defense-with-16m-investment/ar-AA27AtUG) - MSN