On Tuesday, March 24, 2026, U.S. company Northrop Grumman announced that its Northrop Grumman Microelectronics Center (NGMC) had achieved a breakthrough in military microelectronics following successful laboratory tests of finished protective components made from synthetic diamonds. These components are integrated into microelectronic (semiconductor) systems to protect against power surges and overheating.
Synthetic diamond wafer measuring 1 mm × 1 mm / Photos: Northrop Grumman
The research could revolutionize the future production of key components for radar, communications, electronic warfare (EW), and satellite systems. Microscopic, opaque crystals smaller than a grain of sand have proven to be an ideal material for manufacturing protective receiver components, designed to shield sensitive semiconductor systems from power surges and overheating while maintaining signal integrity.
By the end of 2025, the NGMC Microelectronics Center successfully tested a diamond-based protective component. The device withstood more than 100 watts of power—over twice as much as current silicon- or gallium nitride (GaN)-based solutions.
According to Northrop Grumman, synthetic diamonds offer unique properties that make them a material of the future:
- Five times greater thermal conductivity than copper – diamonds dissipate heat extremely quickly,
- Resistance to extreme temperatures – they do not melt or lose their properties even under the harshest conditions,
- Exceptional power handling capability – they can withstand very high loads,
- Radiation resistance – ideal for space and combat applications.
Protective components made from synthetic diamonds will allow microelectronic systems to operate at higher power levels, in more demanding environments, and with greater reliability.
Diamonds are no longer just jewelry – they are becoming the future of defense technology, emphasize Northrop Grumman representatives in promotional materials. The company is working with industry partners to accelerate the transition of this technology into mass production.
“The exceptional thermal conductivity and mobility that diamond possesses allow the material to perform well in very high temperatures and supports high-speed data transmission,” said Dr. Ugonna (Ugo) Ohiri, staff systems engineer at Northrop Grumman’s Microelectronic Center. “Significant force would be required to damage it, making it ideal for the most advanced military missions.”
Performance tests have shown that a system equipped with a diamond-based protective component can withstand 100 watts of power
Northrop Grumman emphasizes that this research reshapes the current understanding of diamonds as a semiconductor material and opens the way to a new generation of electronics with significantly higher performance than existing solutions.
The technology is still in the testing phase, but it is already heralding a revolution in military microelectronics. If confirmed in subsequent test series, diamonds could become a future standard in microelectronic systems used by the U.S. armed forces and their allies.
Research and development teams at Northrop Grumman have been investing in and studying diamond as a next-generation semiconductor material since 2019. Diamonds have long been regarded as an “eternal” material due to their exceptional properties. Dr. Ohiri stated that the belief that diamonds can last forever is well founded.
“When you first think diamond, you think ‘how many carats?’, or ‘what a beautiful shiny gem,’ but our team took a closer look at the properties and recognized that it could be a great material for radio frequency applications like communications systems, radars, and other defense technologies. Plus, diamonds can function in outer space and survive traveling at warp speed,” said Dr. Ohiri.
Currently produced diamond wafers measuring 1 mm × 1 mm can be used to manufacture protective components for even smaller chips than those in use today—more compact, lighter, and consuming less electrical power while delivering higher performance.
At present, the work is being carried out through a strategic partnership with the Southwest Advanced Prototyping Hub (SWAP) at Arizona State University, funded under the Microelectronics Commons initiative.
“The sky isn’t the limit—the universe is. Diamond’s vast potential as a material is undeniable, and we’re moving ever closer to taking it from design and development to full scale deployment,” said Dr. Ohiri.
Will diamonds dominate as the semiconductor material of the future battlespace? All tests say yes! Learn how @northropgrumman and industry partners are growing diamonds to embolden the future of defense.https://t.co/NmTemGO7NZ pic.twitter.com/bwHpFQZ2wI
— Northrop Grumman (@NGCNews) March 24, 2026