Tower Semiconductor Ltd.

Tower Semiconductor is a leading independent specialty foundry that manufactures analog integrated circuits (ICs) for a diverse global customer base. The company's core business revolves around providing technology, development, and process platforms for high-value analog semiconductor solutions, aiming to lead the analog ecosystem with innovative technological offerings. Headquartered in Migdal Haemek, Israel, Tower Semiconductor operates with a mission to deliver advanced analog solutions for various growing markets.

The company offers a broad range of customizable process technologies, including Silicon Germanium (SiGe), BiCMOS, Mixed-Signal/CMOS, RF CMOS, CMOS image sensors, integrated power management, Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS), and Silicon Photonics (SiPho). Beyond manufacturing, Tower Semiconductor provides world-class design enablement platforms for efficient design cycles and offers process transfer services (TOPS) to integrated device manufacturers (IDMs) and fabless companies. Its solutions cater to critical market segments such as mobile, infrastructure, automotive, medical, industrial, consumer, and aerospace and defense.

Under the leadership of CEO Russell C. Ellwanger, Tower Semiconductor continues to strengthen its market position. Recent notable developments include a partnership with Axiro Semiconductor in April 2026 to deliver high-power, high-efficiency SiGe radar beamforming ICs for secure U.S. defense applications, fabricated in Tower's U.S. facilities. In March 2026, the company announced plans to expand its 300mm capacity in Japan and restructured its TPSCo joint venture to take full ownership of its 300mm Fab 7. Furthermore, in February 2026, Tower Semiconductor collaborated with Canadian quantum computing firm Xanadu to advance photonic quantum hardware production. The company is increasingly emphasizing silicon photonics as a key growth driver for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-speed interconnect workloads.

Latest updates

Tower Semiconductor Bolsters US Defense Supply Chain with SiGe Radar IC Partnership

Event summary

  • Tower Semiconductor and Axiro Semiconductor have jointly released high-performance radar beamforming integrated circuits (BFICs) fabricated in Tower’s US facilities.
  • The BFICs utilize Tower’s Silicon Germanium (SiGe) technology and target Ku and X-band radar applications.
  • Axiro, a US-based company, designs and sells the BFICs, emphasizing a secure domestic supply chain for U.S. defense contractors.
  • The devices are currently ramping to volume production and are positioned to outperform existing market alternatives.
  • Tower Semiconductor will be showcasing its SiGe technology at SPIE Defense and Security 2026 in National Harbor, MD.

The big picture

This collaboration highlights the increasing emphasis on securing domestic semiconductor supply chains within the U.S. defense sector, driven by geopolitical concerns and government incentives. Tower Semiconductor’s move to expand its US fabrication capabilities and partner with Axiro positions it to capitalize on this trend, potentially increasing its revenue from the A&D market. The partnership also underscores the growing importance of specialized semiconductor solutions for advanced radar and satcom systems, a segment expected to see significant investment in the coming years.

What we're watching

Supply Chain
The success of this partnership hinges on Axiro’s ability to secure sufficient demand from U.S. defense primes, given the ongoing push for domestic manufacturing.
Technology Adoption
The pace at which these SiGe BFICs are adopted by defense contractors will depend on their performance relative to existing solutions and the willingness to transition to a new supplier.
Competitive Landscape
How Tower Semiconductor’s SiGe technology will fare against competing semiconductor technologies (e.g., GaN) in future defense radar systems warrants close observation.
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