24/7 Space News
CHIP TECH
UK govt buys semiconductor facility key to defence
UK govt buys semiconductor facility key to defence
by AFP Staff Writers
London (AFP) Sept 27, 2024

The UK government announced on Friday that it had acquired a key semiconductor factory after fears its imminent closure would hamper a crucial supply chain to Britain's armed forces.

The facility at Newton Aycliffe in northeast England is the only secure site in Britain with the capability to produce gallium arsenide chips, used in electronic devices.

The semiconductors are used in a number of military platforms, including to boost fighter jet capabilities.

"Semiconductors are at the forefront of the technology we rely upon today, and will be crucial in securing our military's capabilities for tomorrow," said Defence Secretary John Healey.

"This acquisition is a clear signal that our government will back British defence production," he added in a statement released by the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

The government has bought the factory from US company Coherent Inc and will be named Octric Semiconductors UK, the MoD said.

The ministry did not specify how much the government had paid but a source close to the matter told AFP it was around GBP 20 million ($27 million).

The purchase will secure up to 100 jobs, according to the ministry.

The Telegraph newspaper reported in August that its future had been jeopardised by the end of a major contract with US tech giant Apple.

Italian aerospace company Leonardo was among Coherent's customers, but did not have any outstanding orders with it, the paper added.

More than a trillion semiconductors are manufactured each year, with the global semiconductor market forecast to reach a total market size of $1 trillion by 2030, according to the UK government.

Used in smartphones, cars and weapons, semiconductors are indispensable to modern economies and have become a major source of competition between the United States and China.

They are also crucial to future technologies, such as artificial intelligence and 6G wireless networks.

Related Links
Computer Chip Architecture, Technology and Manufacture
Nano Technology News From SpaceMart.com

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
CHIP TECH
Beijing slams reported US trade ban on cars with Chinese tech
Beijing (AFP) Sept 23, 2024
China warned the United States on Monday not to take "discriminatory actions" against its firms, following reports Washington is planning to ban the sale of vehicles using Chinese and Russian technology. Bloomberg and other media reported Sunday, citing sources, that the United States was mulling new rules that would ban hardware and software made in China from its vehicles. Asked about the reports, foreign ministry spokesman Lin Jian said China urged "the US to respect market principles and pro ... read more

CHIP TECH
SpaceX launches mission to return stranded astronauts

US and South Korea Strengthen Aerospace Partnership

Russian cosmonauts return to Earth after record ISS stay

Rob Gutro: Clear Science in the Forecast

CHIP TECH
Crew-9 Successfully Launched, Now En Route to ISS

China launches eight satellites using Smart Dragon 3 rocket

New Glenn second stage completes successful hotfire test ahead of November launch

Revil, enabling the next generation of reentry vehicle research

CHIP TECH
A Striped Surprise

Organic molecules on Mars linked to atmospheric formaldehyde

Solar Wind effects on Mars' nightside magnetic field revealed

Study reveals surprising behavior of Mars' induced magnetosphere

CHIP TECH
Xi emphasizes China's drive to lead in space exploration

China launches Yaogan 43B remote-sensing satellites from Xichang

Shenzhou-18 Crew Tests Fire Alarms and Conducts Medical Procedures in Space

Astronauts on Tiangong Space Station Complete Fire Safety Drill

CHIP TECH
BlackSky prices $40M Public Offering of Common Stock

Vodafone and Intelsat Expand Satellite Connectivity for Remote Areas and Emergency Response

Sidus strengthens LizzieSat operations with Neuraspace partnership

Iridium approves $500M stock buyback, total program reaches $1.5B

CHIP TECH
Epic Games sues Google and Samsung over app store

Oracle to invest $6.5 bn in Malaysian cloud services region

Google to invest $1 billion in Thailand

Indian artisans tackle waste with creative upcycling

CHIP TECH
Astronomers catch a glimpse of a uniquely inflated and asymmetric exoplanet

Lab Findings Suggest Some Indicators of Life on Exoplanets May Be Misleading

WASP-107b reveals new atmospheric features thanks to Webb Telescope

Astronomers identify new Neptunian Ridge between Exoplanet Desert and Savanna

CHIP TECH
Technicians prep Europa Clipper for propellant loading

Volcanoes may help reveal interior heat on Jupiter moon

JunoCam identifies new volcanic feature on Io

Mystery of Trans-Neptunian Orbits Solved by Stellar Flyby

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.