Northrop Grumman chosen for DARPA’s Electronics Resurgence Initiative

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has selected Northrop Grumman Corporation as one of the performers for its Electronics Resurgence Initiative (ERI), the Falls Church, VA-based company announced August 30.

The five-year research initiative led by DARPA’s Microsystems Technology Office is potentially worth upward of $1.5 billion over five years, shared among all participants.

Established by DARPA in 2017, the initiative is comprised of existing programs as well as six new programs – two for each of the three key research thrusts. The initiative has been crafted to spark the next wave of U.S. semiconductor advancement, particularly in the areas of microsystem materials, designs, architectures and integration. ERI is meant to increase momentum for innovation in the microelectronics industry while maintaining technical superiority and advancing national defense.

Northrop Grumman, along with subcontractor JITX, headquartered in Berkeley, California, was one of 11 chosen research teams to perform on the Intelligent Design of Electronic Assets program, one of the efforts part of the ERI. The company will attempt to create an automated electronic circuit layout generator that enables users with no experience to create circuit designs ready for manufacturing within 24 hours. The technology could reduce design times for electronic circuitry from potentially years to a single day.

“Northrop Grumman is at the forefront of microelectronics and next generation computing,” said Vern Boyle, vice president, advanced technologies, Northrop Grumman Mission Systems. “Our ERI partnership with DARPA is an important step toward maintaining the nation’s leadership in electronics and improving national security.”

Source: Northrop Grumman