Managing Semiconductor Obsolescence in Aerospace and Defense

By Nathan Menefee

Semiconductor obsolescence is forcing aerospace and defense programs to make decisions that extend well beyond replacing unavailable parts. A January 2026 NXP discontinuation notice illustrates the problem: selected legacy devices are being withdrawn because aging production equipment and processes have lost supplier support, making continued manufacturing unsustainable. Customer demand alone cannot preserve that manufacturing capability.…

Semiconductor Decoupling Is Getting Complicated

By Michael Stratton

The effort to separate semiconductor supply chains between China and the United States is proving more complicated than simply moving factories from one country to another. Today’s developments around SK hynix illustrate why. SK hynix is reportedly seeking U.S. approval to bring additional American semiconductor manufacturing equipment into its Dalian, China NAND facility while linking…

North American EMS Orders Are Outpacing Shipments

By Michael Stratton

North American electronics manufacturing is showing strong demand, but manufacturers are not converting that demand into shipments at the same pace. The latest industry data shows EMS bookings increased 53.5% year over year in August, while shipments increased only 1.0%. The three-month book-to-bill ratio reached 1.39, indicating that orders are running well ahead of billed…

Murata’s MLCC Discontinuations Put Lifecycle Planning Under Pressure

By Michael Stratton

Murata is discontinuing selected MLCC part numbers across nine product series, creating a significant lifecycle planning issue for manufacturers that depend on those exact components. The affected products span general purpose, automotive, and other applications. Customers can place final orders through March 31, 2028, with final shipments scheduled for March 31, 2029. The extended timeline…

Polysilicon Import Rules Complicate Pre-Tariff Inventory Planning

By Michael Stratton

The traditional strategy of increasing imports before a tariff takes effect has become more complicated for companies purchasing polysilicon and covered derivatives in the United States. A new Commerce Department rule, effective September 22 through December 3, gives the government authority to restrict additional imports when company volumes indicate that material is being stockpiled ahead…

Memory Supply Constraints Could Extend Through 2028

By Michael Stratton

The memory market is entering a longer period of supply constraint than previously expected. The latest industry outlook points to DRAM and NAND remaining constrained through 2027 and 2028, with no clear visibility into when supply and demand will return to balance. At the same time, memory pricing has accelerated sharply, with DRAM average selling…