Military & Aerospace Electronics Forum continues with talk on counterfeit components

By Courtney E. Howard

SAN DIEGO, 2 June 2009.he 2009 Military & Aerospace Electronics ForumT continues today at the San Diego Convention Center with the discussion, "The Perils of Counterfeit Electronic Components."

Industry experts—including Thomas Lee and Leon Hamiter of Components Technology Institute, Tom Sharpe of SMT Corp., and Chet O'Brien of BAE Systems Inc.—recommend thorough inspection of any and all incoming parts. Mil-aero firms should: discuss their requirements with their broker, as well as explain that counterfeit parts will be destroyed, not returned, and not paid for if received.

"If I send counterfeit parts anywhere, I am trafficking counterfeit parts," says O'Brien of BAE Systems Inc.'s Network Systems division in San Diego. Explain to broker that one delivery of counterfeits will result in removal from supplier list and alerting industry associations.