Original 1977 Chips Recreated and Delivered in Six Months
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Phoenix Semiconductor Provides Critical Parts Enabling Continued Production of Weapons Systems for a U.S. Government Organization
Phoenix Semiconductor, a pioneer in modernizing legacy semiconductor solutions, announced that a major U.S. defense contractor has successfully tested and qualified Phoenix’s replicas of Datel’s 12-Bit High Performance Digital-to-Analog Converter (DAC) HZ Series, as well as Datel’s 16-Bit DAC. Both components—discontinued but still mission-critical—are integral to the Phalanx Close-In Weapon System (CIWS), a defensive system deployed by a U.S. military vessels.
The Challenge
Critical Components, No Longer Manufactured
The Phalanx CIWS, a cornerstone of naval defense since its deployment in the 1980s, depends on original Datel DAC-HK12BMM first developed in the late 1970s. These semiconductors perform highly specific, precision analog functions essential to the system’s radar-guided fire control operations. However, with the chips last manufactured in 2013 and no commercial equivalents available, the defense contractor and its government customer faced a costly and time-consuming full board redesign to maintain production continuity. On average board redesigns take two years and cost $2 million dollars.
“Solving component obsolescence is a constant challenge because the systems we build are expected to serve for decades, while most electronic components last 5-10 years,” explained an Obsolescence Program Manager at the prime contractor. “Finding replacements that could pass stringent military qualification standards seemed nearly impossible—until we partnered with Phoenix.”
The Solution
Recreating the Original Chips—Form, Fit, and Function Equivalents
Beginning in February 2025, Phoenix engineers collaborated closely with the defense contractor’s engineering team to recreate the original Datel designs. Working from original specifications, Phoenix recreated the equivalent form, fit, and function of the 1977 chips.
Engineering samples were delivered in just six months, followed by qualification testing that confirmed full compliance with original performance requirements. The result: two legacy DACs that operate identically to the originals, allowing drop-in replacement without the need for board redesigns or requalification.
“This is exactly the kind of problem Phoenix was built to solve,” said Ryan Hatcher, President & CEO of Phoenix Semiconductor. “By re-creating critical legacy semiconductors with modern, secure U.S. manufacturing, we’re saving time, taxpayer dollars, and enabling our military to rely on proven systems that continue to protect lives every day.”
Finding replacement parts for these original chips was nearly impossible until we partnered with Phoenix. They have saved us years of development work and millions of dollars in redesign costs.
Program Manager
Prime Defense Contractor
The Results
Years and Millions Saved
Phoenix’s solution eliminated the need for a full electronics board redesign—saving years in development and millions of dollars in potential requalification and integration costs. The successful delivery and testing of these chips not only ensured production continuity for the Phalanx CIWS program but also demonstrated a scalable model for addressing legacy semiconductor obsolescence across defense platforms.
“Phoenix’s rapid turnaround and engineering precision unlocked a cost-effective, timely solution to what could have been a long-term production bottleneck,” said the contractor’s obsolescence manager.
The Impact
Strengthening U.S. Supply Chain Resilience
Beyond solving one critical bottleneck, this milestone illustrates how Phoenix’s approach can enhance national supply chain resilience. By combining modern fabrication techniques with legacy design reconstruction, Phoenix is enabling secure, domestic production of microelectronics that sustain vital defense and industrial systems.
“As we scale our process, we see enormous potential to reshape how long-cycle industries approach obsolescence,” said Hatcher. “This is about more than one chip—it’s about securing the future of American manufacturing and defense readiness.”
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About Phoenix Semiconductor
Phoenix Semiconductor is redefining how organizations address semiconductor obsolescence. The company produces legacy and mature microelectronic components using modern, secure, U.S.-based manufacturing processes for the defense, automotive, medical, manufacturing, and industrial sectors. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, Phoenix is creating a sustainable catalog of critical legacy chips—available at scale, on demand, and in perpetuity.
Legacy chips at scale, on demand, and in perpetuity.
Rethink what’s possible.