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Tower Semiconductor and Axiro Semiconductor have introduced a new family of high-performance silicon germanium (SiGe) beamforming ICs aimed at next-generation U.S. defense systems. The devices, now ramping to volume production, target radar and satellite communications (satcom) applications that demand high power, efficiency, and secure domestic sourcing.

For eeNews Europe readers, the announcement highlights both a technical step forward in SiGe RF design and a strategic push to localize advanced semiconductor manufacturing for defense-critical supply chains.

SiGe performance meets defense requirements

The new Ku- and X-band beamforming ICs (BFICs) are fabricated in Tower’s U.S. facilities and designed by Axiro, combining process expertise with system-level innovation. According to the companies, the devices deliver improvements in gain, linearity, output power, and switching speed — key parameters for modern phased-array radar.

These enhancements are increasingly important as defense systems shift toward more agile, electronically steered architectures. High efficiency and fast switching enable better signal fidelity and lower system-level power consumption, both critical in airborne and space-based platforms.

“Tower has an established presence as a leading vendor to the U.S. aerospace and defense industry,” said Mike Scott, Vice President and General Manager of the Aerospace & Defense Business Unit at Tower Semiconductor. “This A&D experience, along with our market-leading SiGe technology capabilities, sets the foundational performance and scalability essential for modern defense systems, empowering partners, like Axiro, to deliver innovative, high-performance solutions to meet the sector’s rising demands.”

Strengthening domestic supply chains

Beyond performance, the collaboration underscores a broader industry trend: reinforcing domestic semiconductor supply for sensitive applications. Tower fabricates the BFICs in U.S.-based fabs, and a U.S. company designs them, enabling the devices to meet strict sourcing requirements from defense primes.

“We selected Tower Semiconductor for their unparalleled SiGe technology expertise, which is fundamental to achieving the superior performance of our radar BFICs,” said Naveen Yanduru, CEO of Axiro Semiconductor. “As a U.S.-based company, we design and deliver our domestically engineered solutions directly to American defense prime contractors. Working with Tower’s US facility enables us to reinforce our commitment to secure, mission-critical technology within the U.S. defense supply chain.”

The companies say the devices are already gaining traction, with design wins expected as demand grows for secure, high-frequency RF solutions. Tower will also showcase its SiGe platform at the SPIE Defense and Security 2026 event in Maryland, signaling continued focus on aerospace and defense markets.

As radar and satcom systems evolve, the combination of advanced SiGe processes and localized manufacturing could become a defining factor in both performance and procurement.

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