Battelle Joins Elite Group on $25B DoD Microelectronics Contract

COLUMBUS, OH – January 13, 2026 – Battelle has secured a coveted position on a monumental $25.35 billion, decade-long contract vehicle designed to fortify the technological backbone of the U.S. military. The Columbus-based research and development organization was named one of just ten companies selected for the Defense Microelectronics Activity’s (DMEA) Advanced Technology Support Program V (ATSP V), a government-wide initiative aimed at rapidly solving complex electronics and software challenges for the Department of Defense and other federal agencies.

This Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract places Battelle alongside defense industry giants such as Northrop Grumman, Raytheon, and General Dynamics Mission Systems. The selection positions the non-profit as a key partner in a national effort to ensure mission readiness, modernize aging systems, and secure the nation’s microelectronics supply chain against emerging threats and vulnerabilities.

A Strategic Investment in National Security

The ATSP V contract is far more than a procurement vehicle; it represents a strategic investment in maintaining America's technological overmatch. Microelectronics are the unseen heart of virtually every modern defense platform, from fighter jets and naval ships to communication networks and advanced weapon systems. The DMEA, a specialized DoD agency established to ensure the availability and security of these critical components, orchestrates this effort to safeguard military capabilities.

Under the contract, Battelle and its nine counterparts will compete for task orders to provide a wide spectrum of engineering and technology solutions. The program’s core objectives are to field emerging technologies more quickly, close critical capability gaps left by outdated hardware, and address the pervasive problem of electronics obsolescence. By creating a flexible and rapid pathway to access advanced technology from trusted suppliers, the DMEA aims to enhance system performance and mitigate vulnerabilities that could be exploited by adversaries.

“Battelle’s applied research approach ensures rapid infusion of emerging science and technology into defense systems,” said Michael J. Silvestro, Vice President of Business Development for National Security at Battelle, in a statement. “Our continued work across the entire lifecycle—from early-stage engineering to production and logistics support—will help guarantee the nation outpaces our adversaries by expeditiously fielding the most modern, resilient, and threat-resistant microelectronics technologies.”

Combating the Pervasive Threat of Obsolescence

A primary driver for the ATSP V program is the immense and growing challenge of microelectronics obsolescence. Military systems are designed to operate for decades, a stark contrast to the rapid 5-to-10-year lifecycle of commercial semiconductor components. This fundamental mismatch creates severe risks for the DoD.

When a critical microchip is no longer produced, maintaining or repairing essential military hardware can become prohibitively expensive and time-consuming. The Pentagon spends billions annually mitigating obsolescence, often resorting to sourcing parts from aftermarket brokers, which introduces a significant risk of counterfeit components entering the supply chain. These fake or substandard parts can lead to catastrophic system failures and create hidden security vulnerabilities that adversaries could exploit.

Furthermore, reliance on a globalized supply chain, particularly with heavy concentrations of manufacturing in East Asia, has been identified as a critical national security risk. The ATSP V contract directly confronts this issue by empowering the DMEA to develop and deploy modernization strategies that reduce dependence on fragile supply lines and legacy systems. By investing in technology refresh and trusted domestic partners, the DoD seeks to build a more resilient and secure foundation for its most critical assets.

Battelle's Proven Expertise in a High-Stakes Field

Battelle's selection for this prestigious contract is rooted in its extensive history of applying science to solve complex national security problems. The organization has developed deep expertise in trusted and assured microelectronics, a field dedicated to verifying that chips are authentic and have not been tampered with. This work is crucial for preventing the insertion of malicious hardware that could compromise defense systems.

This award builds on Battelle’s previous successes. The organization has served as a prime contractor on other key defense initiatives, including the Microelectronics and Embedded Systems Assurance (MESA) program for the Air Force Research Laboratory. Through that work, Battelle developed and validated advanced techniques for providing quantifiable assurance of microelectronics, leveraging sophisticated algorithms, artificial intelligence, and decades of experience in embedded systems security.

Battelle’s contributions to ATSP V will align directly with DMEA's strategic goals, focusing on delivering flexible microelectronics solutions, ensuring rapid access to trusted suppliers, and implementing modernization strategies that mitigate the vulnerabilities inherent in older systems. The organization's multidisciplinary approach, which bridges the gap between fundamental research and deployable solutions, makes it a vital asset in the national effort to maintain technological superiority.

The Broader Impact on Defense and Industry

The $25.35 billion ceiling on the ATSP V contract underscores the scale of the challenge and the level of commitment from the DoD. While the funds will be distributed among the ten awardees over the next decade through competitively awarded task orders, the contract signals a major, long-term investment in the U.S. defense industrial base. It provides the Pentagon with a flexible and agile tool to respond to rapidly evolving technological needs without the delays of traditional, lengthy procurement cycles.

This initiative is a cornerstone of a broader strategic shift within the defense community, moving from a primary focus on cost efficiency to a more balanced approach that prioritizes supply chain resilience and security. The program is designed to cultivate a robust ecosystem of trusted technology partners capable of innovating and producing the secure, cutting-edge microelectronics that will power the next generation of American defense capabilities. For companies like Battelle, participation in ATSP V not only represents a significant business opportunity but also a profound responsibility to contribute to the nation’s security for years to come.