The US Department of Commerce allotted $35 million to BAE Systems to revamp its Microelectronics Center (MEC) in Nashua, New Hampshire, marking the inaugural funding under the CHIPS and Science Act. This initiative aims to fortify US manufacturing, supply chains, and national security, aligning with BAE Systems’ commitment to serving critical missions.

The MEC, a Defense Department-accredited facility, specializes in semiconductor technologies for unique military applications. It stands as a rare domestic hub for six-inch gallium arsenide (GaAs) and gallium nitride (GaN) high-electron-mobility transistor (HEMT) wafer production.

Tom Arseneault, President & CEO of BAE Systems, underscores the funding’s significance in expanding defense programs, strengthening the national supply chain, and fostering technical workforce growth. Collaboration with government entities facilitated this initiative.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo highlights the Act’s importance in fortifying national security and local economies. This investment in New Hampshire bolsters defense manufacturing, enhancing both security and the state’s economic landscape.

This funding supplements BAE Systems’ ongoing investments, aiming to procure more efficient manufacturing tools, mitigate supply chain risks, and meet burgeoning demands in defense and non-defense sectors like satellite communications and test & measurement equipment.