Dramatic business changes in the aerospace and military defense industries have caused contractors to drastically alter their design and manufacturing processes. These changes appear to have been influenced by recent events or movements: the U.S. Department of Defense initiative (Perry, 1994; U.S. Department of Defense, 1994) discourage dependence on military specifications/standards (the “Perry Initiative”) which resulted in trends within the electronics industry to use commercial materials in typical military environments (alternative component initiatives). Consequently, changes are underway regarding some of the traditional technologies used in defense electronics. Specifically, this paper will present an overview of the changing nature of some of these technologies, e.g., interconnections, coatings, and plastic encapsulated microcircuits (PEMs), and the standards/practices related to these from a manufacturing aspect. The information provided is by no means all-inclusive, but it does identify a focus for increased discussion and study.

Issue Section:
Special Section Technical Papers
Topics:
Electronics, Manufacturing, Military systems, Defense industry, Aerospace industry, Coatings, Design, Proton exchange membranes
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