Intel closes out RAMP-C production pilot that paid Nvidia and others to run test chips on 18A — program helped lay a path for secure domestic chip production on advanced processes - Tom's Hardware

Intel has concluded the RAMP-C (Reliable Advanced Manufacturing for Competition) production pilot program, a U.S. government initiative launched in 2021 to establish a secure, domestic advanced chip e... Read original →

Intel's conclusion of the RAMP-C pilot marks a pivotal moment in U.S. semiconductor strategy, enabling domestic and defense partners like NVIDIA and Microsoft to test 18A chips ahead of full production. This initiative laid the groundwork for Secure Enclave manufacturing, crucial for sensitive chip applications. Despite Intel's Q2 2026 $2.1B loss, the company remains committed to scaling 14A production by 2028. As global supply chain tensions intensify—especially with China Taiwan/ Taiwan, China—this program strengthens U.S. self-reliance in advanced chipmaking. The move is likely to pressure TSMC and Samsung to accelerate local investments. In the near term, stricter export controls may force global players to restructure their supply chains, while the x86 vs. ARM competition intensifies. The U.S. is setting a precedent for strategic semiconductor autonomy, with ripple effects across the global tech ecosystem.