The U.S. Navy is consolidating 66 unmanned systems programs under a single command. The need is urgent, the timeline is immediate, and the value is $19B over five years. There’s only one acquisition office to engage, but there’s no time to waste. The Navy is putting speed above consensus, and defense contractors who can provide rapid prototypes and speedy samples will surely have an edge.
Specialty Silicone Products (SSP) makes EMI silicones that meet MIL-DTL-83528 requirements and belong to the Qualified Products List (QPL) from the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency (DLA). We also fabricate EMI gaskets and EMI O-rings in M83528 slash sizes. Whether you need material samples or prototype parts, we move quickly and offer lower minimums than you’ll find elsewhere.
Robotic and Autonomous Systems: One Decisionmaker, Three Priorities
The Navy’s new Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Robotic Autonomous Systems (PAE RAS) replaces six Procurement Executive Officers (PEOs) and eliminates oversight from 18 different offices. The PAE RAS has three early priorities, all of which are under its direct control.
- Modular Attack Surface Craft (MASC) with containerized weapons on unmanned hulls.
- Defense Autonomous Warfare Group (DAWG) technologies such as swarming drones.
- Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) plus surface swarms and ground robotics.
Aviation programs like the MQ-4 Triton and MQ-25 Stingray will keep their PEOs, but the Navy’s most disruptive technologies is expected to follow Silicon Valley’s strategy of “fail fast, scale winners”. Defense contractors need to keep up, and those with strong supply chains have the advantage.
EMI Shielding: Rapid Prototypes and Material Samples
SSP serves the defense industry and is a vertically-integrated manufacturer that makes its own materials, parts, and tooling. We also have our in-house laboratory and can provide you with a full certificate of analysis (COA) for each batch. SSP can send samples of our MIL-DTL-83528 QPL certified silicones, and we can also provide you with rapid prototypes of EMI gaskets and EMI O-rings.
If you need EMI gaskets for military projects, SSP offers both flash cut and die cut products. Flash cutting is ideal for rapid prototypes because there’s no tooling to wait for or pay for. SSP can also compression mold EMI gaskets using tools that we machine and maintain in-house. We also compression mold EMI O-rings for higher volume production.
If you need prototype EMI O-rings instead, we can cut EMI extrusions that we make and then bond the ends together. The conductive silicone adhesive that we use dries to the same durometer as the EMI O-ring so that there isn’t a “hard spot.” This proven process has multiple quality control checkpoints and can supply you with M83528/002, M83528/005, or custom EMI O-rings.
Unmanned Systems Need EMI Shielding from SSP
Do you need EMI shielding for unmanned systems? Whether it’s for military or civilian projects, SSP can supply you with EMI shielding silicones and fabricated products that meet tough requirements. All our materials and products are proudly Made in America in accordance with our ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System (QMS). To request a quote or for more information, contact us.
