Microscopic Giants

Summary

Northrop Grumman manufactures advanced microelectronics, including the fastest microchip, enhancing U.S. defense capabilities. By expanding domestic production, the company ensures supply chain security, invests in innovation, and supports American workers in semiconductor manufacturing.

Key Takeaways

• Northrop Grumman produces millions of microchips annually, enhancing mission capabilities while securing the supply chain for U.S. defense.
• The company’s advanced packaging techniques maximize chip functionality, reducing space and power consumption for vital defense technologies.

By Rachael Tiehel

Deeply embedded inside fighter jets, radars, and satellites, are semiconductor chips, also known as microelectronics, performing essential functions ranging from signal processing to control logic. These components execute critical jobs that allow each system to sense, process, and respond to threats —and they must work flawlessly, every single time. 

Though the microchip is tiny, it is the invisible force and heartbeat of every mission.   

Northrop Grumman proudly manufactures and procures millions of these microscopic heroes, including the world’s fastest microchip, in the United States every year, with plans to expand our domestic capabilities and partnerships. Investing in U.S.-based microelectronics manufacturing enables us to better secure our products and, consequently, the warfighters who rely on them.

“With our deep end-to-end knowledge and manufacturing capabilities, we can deliver the right chip, with the right capability to the right mission, every time,” said Robert Mendoza, operations manager of the microelectronics manufacturing facility in Redondo Beach, CA. “With our extensive background working with these technologies, we have perfected ways to add a broad range of functions to support our nation’s military and commercial needs.”