Microfabrication technologies for missile components

This invited communication presents the microfabrication technologies, and associated issues, being developed by the U.S. Army’s AMRDEC for missile components. Primary components are inertial sensors and radio frequency switches. Two inertial sensor types are discussed -- fiber optic and micro-electromechanical system (MEMS) gyroscopes. The RF switches are also based on MEMS technology and are a natural extension of the microfabrication processes developed for the MEMS gyroscope.