Strategies to Enable Assured Access to Semiconductors for the Department of Defense (2024)
Chapter: Appendix A: Statement of Task
A
Statement of Task
A National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine–appointed ad hoc committee will identify, explore, and assess public–private partnership models that have the potential to enable assured access for the production of semiconductors in the United States. The committee will produce a consensus report that addresses the following questions.
What is the competitive position of the United States in the global semiconductor ecosystem?
The committee will examine barriers to sustainable and resilient production of semiconductors in the United States and explore what helps drive production and create reliable supply chains of materials, equipment, components, and expertise. This could include an exploration of the industrial policies of other nations in support of industries in similar critical technology sectors.
How can public–private partnerships strengthen semiconductor manufacturing?
Given the inherent strengths and weaknesses within the global microelectronics industry, the committee will explore how to tailor public–private partnership strategies to address different aspects of the supply chain, such as tool manufacturing, fabless design (without fabrication plants), electronic design automation, software development, manufacturing capability and capacity, workforce development, domestic research and engineering capture (e.g., hardware start-ups), and raw
materials (e.g., wafers, rare earths). This may include an analysis of establishing a semiconductor manufacturing corporation to leverage private-sector technical, managerial, and investment expertise, as well as private capital.
When partnering with the private sector for semiconductor production, what unique challenges and opportunities exist for the Department of Defense to support sustainability and resilience in the U.S. semiconductor ecosystem?
The committee will examine unique challenges for the Department of Defense in engaging with public–private partnerships on semiconductors. In order to provide meaningful new insights into the advantages and challenges of public–private partnerships, the committee will consider issues such as the research–design–production feedback loop, intellectual property, workforce development, export controls, global marketplace considerations, and specialized Department of Defense technologies not supported by the commercial industry.
What policies for public–private partnerships could be adopted to accelerate the development and adoption of disruptive technologies in the United States that benefit the Department of Defense and dual-use needs?
Given previously described barriers and challenges, the committee will discuss and recommend approaches for the Department of Defense to drive change. The committee will conduct an assessment of, and response to, the industrial policies of other nations to support industries in similar critical technology sectors, which will include analyses and recommendations for the consideration of U.S.-international partnerships in support of the global marketplace, as well as onshoring efforts. The committee will also examine and describe resources (amounts and types of funding) and actions that could help achieve or maintain a global leadership position for each aspect of the supply chain and effectively leverage private-sector investment.
