Chip counterfeiters nabbed

[scott wurcer]

Don't fool with NCIS! Get 'em Gibbs.

http://www.justice.gov/usao/dc/Press...ber/09-252.pdf

[dave_gerecke]

Glad to see that the caught at least a few of the bums. Too bad they didn't catch the actual source of the counterfeits.
Of course the thing that wasn't mentioned from what I have read so far is that (as I recall) the rules for the military and sourcing of components was relaxed a decade or so ago. So the military may not have even been buying MilSpec parts. If my recollection is right, it would seem to me a good reason to restart the requirements of MilSpec parts. And with it the subsequent in depth certification of the MilSpec manufacturers. While this would increase the cost of items, it would also help insure the quality of the equipment our military personnel use. This would help keep them alive. And I would think an added benefit would be that this would bring more semiconductor manufacturing back to US shores. This means more high tech jobs!

Peace,

Dave

[Pano]

Originally Posted by scott wurcer

Don't fool with NCIS! Get 'em Gibbs.[/url]

Ha! I wonder if Abby verified the counterfeit chips in her lab?

[mlloyd1]

Yaaaaaay!!!

mlloyd1

[Luke352]

Originally Posted by dave_gerecke

Glad to see that the caught at least a few of the bums. Too bad they didn't catch the actual source of the counterfeits.
Of course the thing that wasn't mentioned from what I have read so far is that (as I recall) the rules for the military and sourcing of components was relaxed a decade or so ago. So the military may not have even been buying MilSpec parts. If my recollection is right, it would seem to me a good reason to restart the requirements of MilSpec parts. And with it the subsequent in depth certification of the MilSpec manufacturers. While this would increase the cost of items, it would also help insure the quality of the equipment our military personnel use. This would help keep them alive. And I would think an added benefit would be that this would bring more semiconductor manufacturing back to US shores. This means more high tech jobs!

Peace,

Dave

From my time working on Military equipment, I kinda laugh when companies claim they use milspec parts, it really isn't anything worth claiming. As Milspec doesn't mean high grade 98% of the time IMO. Most of it is the same cheap rubbish you can buy in your local shop. Sometimes Milspec will even mean lower grade. What you are really paying for is traceability everything is recorded and batched accordingly so that they know exactly where a barticular batch of parts went etc.. so that they can be recalled if need be, whereas at the same time they are making the same part with the exact same QC but they just aren't recording batch dates and times etc... So is it worth it, 98% of the time NO, imho.

[sardonx]

Just caught this now. That's interesting. The world is a ****ed up place. I can't picture the exact moment when you decide it's a good idea to sell fraudulent goods to the military. Let alone, the most powerful military in the world. Stupid morons. I hope they go to jail for a very long time.

[anatech]

Hi Scott,
Right on! Nail those suckers!!

Mil spec means more than just traceability. It just so happens that the requirements to be robust have nothing to do with what we see as quality. They aren't listening for sound quality, they need to power it up and have it work every single time.

I fully support the Mil Spec system. I can't believe they discontinued it!!!

BTW, there is quite a problem with faked aircraft parts as well. The FBI has been busy with that. Again, nail those suckers!! People have died as a result of this.

-Chris

[godfrey]

To me the really astonishing part is that in the middle of their "war on terror", the US military is buying their semiconductors from some guy called Mustafa Abdul Aljaff and his sister.

[Shaun]

Originally Posted by godfrey

To me the really astonishing part is that in the middle of their "war on terror", the US military is buying their semiconductors from some guy called Mustafa Abdul Aljaff and his sister.

As a South African, that statement almost offends me deeply. But, just for the sake of due diligence, what exactly do you find astonishing about this?

[godfrey]

Hi Shawn

My apologies, no offense was intended.

I see my comment could be interpreted as racist or discriminatory. In that regard I'd like to mention that I have no problem with people of other races, religions or nationalities. However, I do seem to recall "profiling" becoming an issue in some countries in the wake of 9/11.

The main reason for my surprise is different though. Let me explain as follows - I would be equally surprised if they were buying from a shop run by a guy called Joe and his wife, especially when they're in a position to buy from reputable dealers or even directly from the manufacturers.

Surely some kind of background check would have been in order?

Even DIYers on this forum are concerned about counterfeit semiconductors and are cautious about who they buy from.

For the military, the stakes are higher. While we're only concerned that e.g. an op-amp may not sound as good as it should, they're concerned about the possibility of "doctored" electronic devices being used for espionage or sabotage.

I hope that clears things up a little.

Regards - Godfrey

p.s. I'd be happy to discuss this in private if you want to pm or email me, but I think this is getting a little too close to the boundary ito the forum's "no politics" rule.