Microelectronics: A Critical National Resource.

• Date: 01 June 2021
• Author: Shaffer, Alan R.,Toffales, Chris,Attar, Monique D.,Shaffer, Alan R.^Toffales, Chris^Attar, Monique D.
• Published date: 01 June 2021
• Author: Shaffer, Alan R.

One fallout from the pandemic has been a growing realization of the impact of a fragile manufacturing and supply chain on the economy and potential impact on national security.

This is true in several sectors, but arguably, none more important than microelectronics. The issues are great, but there is a recommended solution that has been identified as a way forward to "build back better" a strong microelectronics industry in the United States: there needs to be a public-private partnership that will take the nation from foreign dependency to self-sustaining domestic production.

Microelectronics is a sector where the United States still has the largest market share in sales of finished product, at about 47 percent of the global total, according to the Semiconductor Industry Association.

Unfortunately, America only accounts for approximately 12 percent of the global manufacturing production. The nation relies on parts made offshore which are in many cases single sourced. This is true for both commercial and military systems. Disruption of the worldwide microelectronics supply chain would seriously impact the U.S. economy, as well as the readiness posture of the armed forces, and operability of critical national infrastructure such as...