The future of components for high reliability military and space applications

Military specified, ceramic packaged and radiation hardened components will disappear before the end of the century. The only long-term sustainable alternative may well be to use plastic packaged Commercial Components. The material in this report comes from the Defense Logistics Agency sponsored Plastic Package Availability Program and from an AT and T field reliability study. It summarizes Case Studies from companies which have been building and fielding highly reliable commercial and DOD military systems using plastic commercial components. Findings are, that when properly selected commercial components are operated within the true limitations of their design and packaging, they are as reliable as today`s Mil Spec components. Further, they offer cost, space and weight savings, shared manufacturing and field test experience with industry, and access to the most modern technology. Also reported are potential problems that may be encountered when using commercial components, their long term storage and use reliability characteristics, recommended design processes and supplier selection practices, commercial best business practices, and a semiconductor manufacturer`s view of the military`s switch to commercial plastic microcircuits.