Board on Manufacturing and Engineering Design & Committee on Manufacturing Trends in Printed Circuit Technology 
Linkages [EPUB ebook] 
Manufacturing Trends in Electronic Interconnection Technology

Over the past two decades, the Department of Defense has been moving toward commercial-military integration for manufacturing, while at the same time, the printed circuit board industry has been moving steadilyoffshore. Today, many in Do D, the U.S. Congress, and the federal government lack a clear understanding of the importance of high-quality, trustworthy printed circuit boards (Pr CBs) for properly functioningweapons and other defense systems and components. To help develop this understanding, DOD requested the NRC to identify and assess the key issues affecting Pr CBs for military use. This report presents a discussion of how to ensure DOD’s access to reliable printed circuits; an assessment of its vulnerability to the global printed circuit supply chain; and suggestions about ways to secure the design and manufactureof printed circuits. In addition, this report offers recommendations to help Do D (1) preserve existing systems’ capabilities, (2) improve the military’s access to currently available Pr CBs, and (3) ensure access to future Pr CB technology. The recommendations reflect the need to achievethese goals at reasonable cost and in concert with evolving environmental regulations.