Intel Completes RAMP-C Defense Program, Paving Way for Domestic Advanced Chip Production on 18A

Intel Foundry has announced the completion of RAMP-C (Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototypes – Commercial), a U.S. government program awarded to the company in 2021 to establish a secure, domestic leading-edge chip ecosystem on its 18A process node.

The program directed funding to commercial and defense partners to run test chips using a design kit that was still under development. Its conclusion signals readiness for external customers who will pay full price to fabricate real products, including those who may use the Intel Secure Enclave manufacturing flow — a defense-focused process that RAMP-C helped shape.

Program Participants

While the announcement does not name specific customers secured through RAMP-C, the program's roster has been public for years and includes:

• Nvidia
• Microsoft
• IBM
• Qualcomm
• Boeing
• Northrop Grumman

The absence of named customers may stem from the sensitive nature of defense industrial base (DIB) products likely to be produced using the Secure Enclave flow, which spans design, chip fabrication, and advanced packaging.

Partner Engagement and Test Chips

In February 2024, Stu Pann, then SVP and GM of Intel Foundry Services, told Tom's Hardware that the program's announced partners were IBM, Microsoft, and Nvidia, and that all three were running test chips funded by RAMP-C. The funding allowed them to "operate with immature PDKs, which normally they wouldn't do," Pann said, covering their associated costs. In return, Intel received PPAC data — how prospective customers rated 18A on power, performance, area, and cost.

Intel disclosed the roster in stages:

• Phases 1 and 2: Nvidia, Qualcomm, Microsoft, and IBM
• July 2023: Boeing and Northrop Grumman joined
• April 2024: Trusted Semiconductor Solutions and Reliable MicroSystems added under a third phase

Nvidia's Involvement

Nvidia's participation dates back to the program's early phases, four years before it agreed to purchase $5 billion of Intel common stock in September 2025. That deal closed in December at $23.28 per share for more than 217.4 million shares. The agreement covers custom x86 CPUs and RTX SoCs but carries no commitment to manufacture Nvidia silicon at Intel.

Secure Enclave and CHIPS Act Funding

Secure Enclave, the follow-on program referenced by Intel, is valued at up to $3 billion and was finalized alongside Intel's $7.86 billion CHIPS Act award in November 2024. Congress required that CHIPS Act funds pay for Secure Enclave, which explains why the commercial grant is smaller than the originally proposed $8.5 billion.

Intel Foundry Financials

According to Intel's Q2 2026 financial results, Intel Foundry booked $293 million in external revenue last quarter against $5.8 billion in total segment revenue and a $2.1 billion operating loss.

Fortinet, named last week as the first publicly disclosed external foundry customer under CEO Lip-Bu Tan, is building its security processor on Intel 4 rather than 18A. On the same earnings call, Intel committed to 14A high-volume manufacturing in 2028.

Follow Tom's Hardware on Google News or add us as a preferred source for the latest news, analysis, and reviews.