The Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub, led by Arizona State University, has been awarded $36.3 million in Year 2 funding from the Department of War under the CHIPS and Science Act. The awards continue the SWAP Hub’s work on five distinct projects enabling access to capabilities to accelerate innovation for the American military.
Through the award, ASU will receive approximately $34 million with an additional $2.3 million to Sandia National Laboratories, a lead partner, and Air Force Research Lab to do work that will advance the rebirth of American’s semiconductor industry.
“Arizona State University is privileged to continue serving the nation through its contributions to the SWAP Hub and the comprehensive advancements in our national security its projects will yield,” said Sally C. Morton, executive vice president of the ASU Knowledge Enterprise. “The university’s unique capability to convene impactful collaborators is reflected in the ongoing successful innovations taking place through the SWAP Hub and as part of Department of War’s Microelectronic Commons, now supported by further investment for the coming year. This work is crucial to strengthening America’s security and economic prosperity.”
Headquartered in Arizona, SWAP Hub connects the Southwest – the fastest-growing and largest semiconductor cluster in the United States – with more than $200 billion in private investment – to a growing network of defense and electronics partners across the country.
Led by Arizona State University, the SWAP Hub brings together over 200 top semiconductor manufacturers, defense firms, national laboratories, leading academic institutions, startup companies and numerous other organizations. Hub members leverage advanced packaging, test, characterization, and fabrication capabilities at ASU’s MacroTechnologyWorks, Sandia National Laboratories and other cores to deliver Department of War needs.
The five projects were awarded in four distinct technical priority areas identified as being of critical importance to the DoW. The projects, partners and amount invested are:
Project focus: 5G/6G
1. Integrated RF GaN Technology to Support NextG … Wireless Systems. Total Award: $6M. This project leverages disruptive innovations in radio equipment to offer dynamic adjustments through small form-factor Gallium Nitride (GaN) power amplifier technology.
• Project Partners:
Arizona State University (lead)
Maxwell Mission (new start up)
Raytheon Company
National Instruments
2. SMART – Scalable Modular Architecture for RF Transceivers. Total Award: $6.7M. This project aims to advance radio frequency (RF) transceiver technology to improve national defense and commercial capabilities.
• Project Partners:
Alphacore, Inc. (lead)
Arizona State University
Lockheed Martin Space
Auburn University
Rice University
Project focus: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Hardware
3. Spaceborne Low-Energy AI Computing (SLEAC). Total Award: $6M. This project aims to extend the power of artificial intelligence (AI) to satellites orbiting the planet by directly integrating a highly efficient, radiation hard AI chip with focal plane array image sensors used in space.
• Project Partners:
ASU (lead)
Air Force Research Lab (AFRL)
University of Colorado – Boulder
University of Southern California
Sandia National Laboratories
Raytheon
University of Michigan
Project focus: Commercial Leap Ahead
4. Multi-MHz, High Density, Ultra-fast RADAR Power Converter. Total Award: $5.1M. This project will advance radar power systems in critical defense applications. The project will specifically develop a multi-megahertz, multi-kilowatt, high-density ultra-fast radar power converter that forms the heart of advanced radar systems.
• Project Partners:
ASU (lead)
ThermAvant Technologies
Sandia National Laboratories
Infineon Technologies Americas Corp.
Lockheed Martin
Project focus: Secure Edge/Internet of Things (IoT)
5. ARC-V Secure Processor. Total Award: $12.5M. The project’s primary objective is to create a secure, low-power processor that allows the military to confidently deploy advanced systems, even in contested environments, that rely on powerful but vulnerable commercial electronics.
• Project Partners:
Idaho Scientific (lead)
Synopsys
BAE Systems
Trusted Semiconductor Solutions
Mercury Systems
Arizona State University
“The continuation of these projects reflects their ongoing success and the work of the university and our many partners,” said ASU’s Jason Conrad, chief operating officer of the SWAP Hub. “They met their milestones and they’re still adding value to the Department of War, and they are great examples of the benefits of academia, small companies, large companies, government labs and the defense industrial base working together on an idea to move it to reality, which is the purpose.”
The SWAP Hub is one of eight regional innovation hubs established in 2022 under the Department of War’s Microelectronics Commons, a national strategic initiative to accelerate the development and production of microelectronics technologies that are critical to U.S. security and defense. It links world-class semiconductor prototyping facilities at ASU’s MacroTechnology Works and Sandia National Laboratories’ Mesa Fab, in new ways to produce prototypes for DoW that no single institution could develop alone.
Now in their third year, the hubs within the Microelectronics Commons have matured and established their own unique strengths.
“We have more partners bringing more ideas and the SWAP Hub is seeing much more focus around our advanced packaging line, which is where we differentiate ourselves,” said Conrad.
One of those small business partners, Alphacore, not only is involved, but it leads the SMART – Scalable Modular Architecture for RF Transceivers – project.
“We take pride in demonstrating the capacity of a small business in being selected to continue leading a Microelectronics Commons team into Year 2 and we are pleased to apply our special blend of technical expertise, business focus, and entrepreneurial vigor to continue the development of a unique reconfigurable transceiver chip,” said Esko Mikkola, Ph.D., founder and CEO of Alphacore, Inc.
“This new technology is essential for advancements in both defense applications such as satellite communications and electronic warfare, and in rapidly expanding commercial markets for electronics in transportation and telecommunications. Our team has been able to meet not only the aggressive goals established during Year 1, but to exceed requirements and over-deliver, and we are well on our way to getting our joint communications and sensing IC into the hands of organizations and companies who demand the utmost in both performance and reliability.”
The SWAP Hub also advances the workforce development needs of large companies, startups, national labs and other numerous organizations involved. ASU students, both graduate and undergraduates, work on the projects giving them unmatched exposure to the tools, technologies and real-world challenges within the industry as well as creating pathways for employment.
“From a university perspective, it’s a great opportunity for both students and faculty,” said Morton. “The students are working with industry partners and the government on these projects, sharpening their skills while still at the university; and for faculty, it means having a true north star for doing research that not only is interesting, but something that really matters to the country.”
Facts Only
The Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub, led by Arizona State University, received $36.3 million in Year 2 funding from the Department of War under the CHIPS and Science Act.
ASU will receive approximately $34 million, with $2.3 million allocated to Sandia National Laboratories and the Air Force Research Lab.
The funding supports five projects in four technical priority areas: 5G/6G wireless systems, AI hardware, commercial leap-ahead technologies, and secure edge/IoT.
Project 1: Integrated RF GaN Technology for NextG Wireless Systems, awarded $6 million, led by ASU with partners including Raytheon and National Instruments.
Project 2: SMART – Scalable Modular Architecture for RF Transceivers, awarded $6.7 million, led by Alphacore, Inc., with partners including ASU and Lockheed Martin.
Project 3: Spaceborne Low-Energy AI Computing (SLEAC), awarded $6 million, led by ASU with partners including the Air Force Research Lab and Sandia National Laboratories.
Project 4: Multi-MHz, High Density, Ultra-fast RADAR Power Converter, awarded $5.1 million, led by ASU with partners including ThermAvant Technologies and Lockheed Martin.
Project 5: ARC-V Secure Processor, awarded $12.5 million, led by Idaho Scientific with partners including ASU and BAE Systems.
The SWAP Hub is one of eight regional innovation hubs established in 2022 under the Department of War’s Microelectronics Commons.
The hub connects over 200 partners, including semiconductor manufacturers, defense firms, academic institutions, and startups.
ASU students participate in the projects, gaining exposure to industry tools and real-world challenges.
The SWAP Hub is headquartered in Arizona and links semiconductor prototyping facilities at ASU’s MacroTechnology Works and Sandia National Laboratories’ Mesa Fab.
Executive Summary
The Southwest Advanced Prototyping (SWAP) Hub, led by Arizona State University (ASU), has secured $36.3 million in Year 2 funding from the Department of War under the CHIPS and Science Act. This funding supports five projects focused on advancing semiconductor and microelectronics technologies critical to U.S. national security. ASU will receive approximately $34 million, with the remaining $2.3 million allocated to Sandia National Laboratories and the Air Force Research Lab. The projects span key areas such as 5G/6G wireless systems, AI hardware for space applications, radar power converters, and secure edge computing for military use. The SWAP Hub, one of eight regional innovation hubs established in 2022, connects over 200 partners, including semiconductor manufacturers, defense firms, academic institutions, and startups, to accelerate prototyping and innovation. The initiative also emphasizes workforce development, providing ASU students with hands-on experience in cutting-edge technologies. The funding reflects the ongoing success of these projects and their alignment with the Department of War’s strategic goals to strengthen America’s semiconductor industry and defense capabilities.
The SWAP Hub’s work is part of the broader Microelectronics Commons, a national effort to revitalize domestic semiconductor production and innovation. Projects like the ARC-V Secure Processor and the SMART RF transceiver demonstrate the collaboration between academia, industry, and government labs to address critical defense needs. Small businesses, such as Alphacore, play a significant role in leading and contributing to these initiatives, highlighting the hub’s ability to foster innovation across diverse stakeholders. The continued investment underscores the importance of these technologies in maintaining U.S. competitiveness and security in an increasingly complex global landscape.
Full Take
The SWAP Hub’s funding and projects reflect a strategic push to revitalize U.S. semiconductor capabilities, particularly in defense-critical applications. The narrative emphasizes collaboration between academia, industry, and government, positioning the initiative as a model for public-private innovation. However, the focus on military applications and the Department of War’s involvement raise questions about the balance between national security and commercial interests. The projects, such as the ARC-V Secure Processor and AI hardware for space, highlight the dual-use nature of these technologies, which could have significant implications for both defense and civilian sectors.
The article presents a strong case for the SWAP Hub’s success, citing milestones met and the involvement of diverse partners. Yet, it lacks critical examination of potential risks, such as the concentration of semiconductor innovation within defense-focused frameworks or the long-term sustainability of such initiatives without broader commercial adoption. The emphasis on workforce development and student involvement is commendable, but it also underscores the growing intertwining of academic research with defense priorities, which may influence the direction of future innovation.
Patterns detected: none
Root cause: The narrative aligns with a broader paradigm of national security-driven industrial policy, where technological sovereignty is prioritized to counter global competition, particularly with China. The unstated assumption is that defense-led innovation will inherently benefit the commercial sector, though historical examples suggest this is not always the case.
Implications: The initiative could accelerate U.S. semiconductor independence but may also entrench a defense-centric approach to technology development, potentially limiting broader civilian applications. The involvement of small businesses like Alphacore demonstrates the hub’s ability to foster innovation, but the long-term impact on the semiconductor ecosystem remains uncertain.
Bridge questions: How might the focus on defense applications influence the commercial viability of these technologies? What safeguards are in place to ensure that academic research remains independent of defense priorities? How does this initiative compare to similar efforts in other countries, and what lessons can be learned from their outcomes?
Counterstrike scan: If this were part of a coordinated influence campaign, the playbook would emphasize national security urgency to justify large-scale funding while downplaying potential risks or trade-offs. The actual content does not exhibit this pattern, as it provides a balanced overview of the initiative’s goals and stakeholders without overt manipulation.
Sentinel — Human
This article reads as a professional press release or institutional report, characterized by specific data and structured detail, suggesting human authorship focused on reporting complex, real-world partnership outcomes.