Beyond the Board

Column from: Jesse Vaughan

A third-generation Printed Circuit Board (PCB) technologist, Jesse brings a deep-rooted passion and expertise in PCB design, fabrication, assembly and program management. With years of hands-on experience across the entire PCB lifecycle, he has worked closely with engineers, manufacturers, and supply chains to deliver high-quality, reliable solutions. From optimizing complex board designs to streamlining production processes, Jesse excels at bridging the gap between innovation and manufacturability. Committed to advancing PCB technology, he leverages a legacy of industry knowledge as an active member for several IPC committees.
Connect:
June 16, 2026

Beyond the Board: The Hidden Enabler of Autonomous Warfare—Advanced PCB Technologies Behind Defense AI

Autonomous systems are rapidly reshaping the defense landscape. Unmanned aerial systems, autonomous maritime vessels, robotic ground vehicles, loitering munitions, and AI-enabled sensing platforms are now integral components of modern military operations. AI may serve as the brain of an autonomous system, but advanced PCBs form the foundation that allows those capabilities to operate reliably in the field.
April 14, 2026

Beyond the Board: How a Diminished Supplier Base Affects Complex PCB Manufacturing Readiness in Defense

As mil/aero electronics push toward higher density, tighter tolerances, and more complex constructions, another trend has unfolded in parallel. It receives far less attention but carries equal consequence: A significant reduction in the number of fabricators that can support complex PCB manufacturing.
March 10, 2026

Beyond the Board: How Advanced PCB Design Is Reshaping Mil/Aero Electronics

As mil/aero electronics evolve toward higher data rates, greater processing density, and tighter mechanical envelopes, integration is no longer occurring primarily at the box level, but rather deep within the electronic architecture itself, often beginning at the printed circuit board.
February 03, 2026

Beyond the Board: The Benefits of Early PCB Engagement in Aerospace and Defense Programs

Aerospace and defense programs don’t operate on commercial timelines. Once a platform is qualified, it may remain in production, sustainment, or upgrade cycles for decades. Yet many of the most consequential decisions affecting that lifecycle are often made at the PCB design stage, and long before a program reaches production or even formal qualification.
November 18, 2025

Beyond the Board: Why More Defense Primes Are Moving Toward Rigid-flex for Lighter, More Reliable Systems

Over the past decade, the conversation around PCB innovation in aerospace and defense has often centered on high-density interconnects, advanced materials, and tighter design-to-fabrication collaboration. But the move toward rigid-flex is a quieter shift that has been gaining momentum, and it’s changing how primes and system integrators approach the physical architecture of mission-critical electronics.
October 14, 2025

Beyond the Board: Early Engagement Means Faster Prototyping for Defense Programs

In the defense electronics sector, speed-to-market has shifted from being a commercial differentiator to a national security imperative. The ability to move from design concept to deployable system in months rather than years can provide the U.S. with important strategic advantages. Prototyping, once regarded as a costly and optional stage, has become the linchpin for accelerating program schedules while safeguarding performance, compliance, and mission reliability.
September 16, 2025

Beyond the Board: What Companies Need to Know Before Entering the MilAero PCB Market

The MilAero electronics supply chain offers opportunities for manufacturers that are both prestigious and strategically important. Serving prime contractors and Tier-1 suppliers can mean long-term program stability and the satisfaction of contributing to national security. At the same time, this sector is unlike commercial electronics in almost every respect. Success requires more than technical capabilities, it requires patience, preparation, attention to detail, and a clear understanding of how the business model differs.
June 17, 2025

Beyond the Board: Orbital High Ground—Why Space Superiority Is Slipping Away

“The next war might be won—or lost—22,000 miles above Earth.” That’s not science fiction. It’s the stark reality defense planners are beginning to confront as space transitions from a support domain to a full-spectrum warfighting environment. For decades, the United States held an uncontested advantage in space, relying on exquisite, few, and highly capable systems to enable precision warfare, real-time intelligence, and global communications. Today, that edge is under siege.
May 13, 2025

Beyond the Board: Empowering the Next Generation of Tech Innovators in Electronics

The electronics industry is at the heart of technological progress, driving innovative advancements that shape our world. Yet, despite the sector's rapid evolution, it faces a looming challenge: attracting and retaining young talent. With an aging workforce and an increasing demand for skilled professionals, the industry must find ways to inspire the next generation of innovators.
February 25, 2025

Beyond the Board: The Future of Innovation—Why the Electronics Industry Needs You

With new challenges and opportunities on the horizon, now is the perfect time for the younger generation to step up, learn, and get involved. This is a call to action for those ready to make an impact, as the future of electronics is in their heads and more importantly, their hands.
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