Doug S (foo.delete@this.bar.bar) on August 6, 2013 11:47 am wrote:
> someone (someone.delete@this.somewhere.com) on August 6, 2013 11:25 am wrote:
> > someone (someone.delete@this.somewhere.com) on August 6, 2013 11:22 am wrote:
> >
> > > I doubt IBM will still be in the chip business come "Roadmap 2020".
> >
> > Chip *making* business. IBM will likely still be designing new Power and Z chips
> > but TSMC of GloFo will be spinning the wafers.
>
>
> Doesn't IBM operate the only fab licensed to produce chips the DoD and NSA require to be produced
> in the US by a secure fab? Unless Intel is able to take that over with one of its US fabs, it seems
> as though a few billion in 'black program' operating budget might be found to keep that running.


You are thinking of this:

    http://www.nsa.gov/business/programs/tapo.shtml

One option would be for the US government to give IBM several billion dollars to keep going. Another option would be for the US government to cut a deal with Intel ... especially now that Intel is sorta trying to get into the foundry business.