**UK aerospace and defence sector**: Rising defence budgets and prolonged system lifecycles intensify obsolescence challenges, prompting Rochester Electronics to lead with strategic sourcing, lifecycle tracking, and compliant manufacturing for military-grade semiconductors beyond typical end-of-life dates.
The role of effective obsolescence management has become increasingly critical in the aerospace and defence sectors, as outlined by Luke Fitzpatrick, director of aerospace and defence EMEA at Rochester Electronics. Speaking to Electronics Sourcing, he highlighted how historical relationships between semiconductor manufacturers and defence contractors, which date back to the 1960s, have evolved. This evolution has led to a growing disparity between the short lifecycle products favoured by semiconductor companies and the prolonged lifecycle needs of defence systems.
With the current geopolitical climate resulting in heightened defence budgets globally, organisations in this sector are fully engaging with modernisation efforts and reinforcing their supply chains. The emphasis is on investing in advanced technologies while ensuring systems are operationally ready. This urgency has prompted many to procure and sustain existing platforms to meet immediate requirements, which often leads to service lifecycles extending significantly beyond initial projections. Consequently, managing obsolescence has emerged as a pressing challenge, necessitating careful attention to supply chain dynamics.
Fitzpatrick noted that supply chains increasingly deal with outdated components that were initially designed for shorter lifecycles. He believes that simply holding last-time-buy stock will no longer suffice for operational needs, advocating for a shift towards more comprehensive management strategies. The complexity of programmes, featuring extended development timelines, prolonged lifecycles, and rigorous reliability and compliance requirements, amplifies the importance of effective obsolescence management.
To navigate these challenges, Fitzpatrick outlined several best practices for semiconductor supply chain management, including:
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Strategic Alignment: There is a need to foster strong relationships with key supply chain partners. He emphasised that aligning with trusted suppliers can provide significant value, particularly in times when semiconductor shortages are minimal.
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Dual Sourcing: The approval of products from multiple Original Component Manufacturers (OCMs) can enhance resilience against supply chain disruptions.
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Advanced Warning Systems: Establishing proactive communication channels with suppliers allows organisations to anticipate potential challenges, such as lead time extensions and component shortages.
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Comprehensive Lifecycle Tracking: Implementing automated algorithms for lifecycle tracking, combined with insights from accredited end-of-life suppliers, can assist in managing components marked as ‘discontinued’ or ‘obsolete’, which may still remain viable for many years.
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Proactive Collaboration: Early collaboration with partners can help organisations better shape investments for optimal outcomes.
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Program Protection Plans (PPP): The active implementation of PPPs, particularly through partnerships with authorised aftermarket manufacturers, is essential for ensuring compliant distribution and manufacturing processes.
Rochester Electronics is positioned to address these crucial sourcing requirements, being an AS6496-compliant distributor and licensed manufacturer that provides commercial, industrial, automotive, and military-grade semiconductor solutions beyond the typical discontinuation dates set by OCMs. The company maintains an extensive inventory of military-grade components, with rapid supply capabilities facilitated through in-house assembly lines offering various packaging options, including ceramic DIP and flat pack configurations.
The firm also boasts customisation capabilities to meet stringent source-controlled drawing requirements, as well as in-house qualification and testing facilities. Compliance with DLA Land and Maritime certification standards ensures reliability in military applications.
Additionally, Rochester utilises its expertise in test and design engineering to develop alternatives for obsolete components, including compatible ASIC replacements that preserve the form, fit, and functionality of original parts. This strategy helps streamline the regulatory re-qualification processes, even for applications deemed DAL-A safety-critical, without necessitating software adjustments or errata.
Through these initiatives, Rochester Electronics aims to provide holistic solutions that not only address immediate supply needs but also ensure sustainable long-term support for defence and aerospace applications.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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