Tower Semiconductor and Axiro collaborate on high-efficiency SiGe for advanced radar

Tower Semiconductor and Axiro Semiconductor have collaborated to introduce a new family of high-performance silicon germanium (SiGe) beamforming ICs tailored for next-generation U.S. defense systems. These devices, currently in the process of ramping up production, are specifically designed for radar and satellite communications (satcom) applications that require high power, efficiency, and secure domestic sourcing.

For readers of eeNews Europe, this announcement signifies a significant advancement in SiGe RF design and a strategic effort to localize advanced semiconductor manufacturing to support critical defense supply chains.

SiGe Performance Meets Defense Requirements

The newly unveiled Ku- and X-band beamforming ICs (BFICs) are manufactured in Tower’s U.S. facilities and engineered by Axiro, leveraging a combination of process expertise and system-level innovation. These devices are touted to offer enhancements in gain, linearity, output power, and switching speed — crucial parameters for modern phased-array radar systems.

These improvements are becoming increasingly vital as defense systems transition towards more agile, electronically steered architectures. The high efficiency and rapid switching capabilities of these ICs contribute to improved signal fidelity and reduced system-level power consumption, particularly beneficial for airborne and space-based platforms.

“Tower has a well-established presence as a key supplier to the U.S. aerospace and defense sector,” stated Mike Scott, Vice President and General Manager of the Aerospace & Defense Business Unit at Tower Semiconductor. “Our extensive experience in aerospace and defense, combined with our leading SiGe technology capabilities, provides the foundational performance and scalability necessary for modern defense systems, empowering partners like Axiro to deliver innovative, high-performance solutions to meet the sector’s evolving needs.”

Strengthening Domestic Supply Chains

Beyond performance enhancements, this collaboration underscores a broader industry trend of bolstering domestic semiconductor supply chains for sensitive applications. By manufacturing the BFICs in U.S.-based facilities and having a U.S. company handle the design, these devices meet stringent sourcing requirements from defense prime contractors.

“We chose Tower Semiconductor for their unparalleled SiGe technology expertise, which is fundamental to achieving the superior performance of our radar BFICs,” explained 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. Collaborating with Tower’s U.S. facility allows us to reinforce our commitment to secure, mission-critical technology within the U.S. defense supply chain.”

The companies anticipate that these devices will gain traction swiftly, with multiple design wins expected as the demand for secure, high-frequency RF solutions continues to rise. Tower Semiconductor will also be showcasing its SiGe platform at the SPIE Defense and Security 2026 event in Maryland, demonstrating its ongoing focus on aerospace and defense markets.

As radar and satcom systems progress, the integration of advanced SiGe processes and localized manufacturing could emerge as a defining factor in both performance capabilities and procurement strategies.