The sovereign processor dedicated to dual-use

Based on the unique expertise in Europe developed for the design of Rhea1 (SiPearl’s first generation processor, dedicated to HPC), Athena1 will offer features specifically tailored to the workloads of government, defence and aerospace applications. These include, for example, secure communications and intelligence, cryptography and encryption, intelligence processing, tactical networks, electronic detection or local data processing on vehicles.

In addition to its computing power, Athena1 will be characterised by its security and integrity. The Athena1 family will offer skus of 16, 32, 48, 64 or 80 Arm Neoverse V1 cores, depending on the power required for each application and their thermal constraints, among other factors. Detailed technical specifications will be announced at a later date.

The manufacturing of Athena1’s die will be entrusted to TSMC, the world’s leading independent foundry for advanced semiconductors. Packaging will initially be carried out in Taiwan, but packaging is targeted to be moved to Europe to help to grow this industrial ecosystem in Europe.

The commercial release of Athena1 is scheduled for the second half of 2027.