Two major projects from the Department of Defense will use Microsoft’s Azure cloud services under new deals signed by DOD and the technology firm, according to Nextgov. Microsoft and ten companies, including Applied Materials, Intel Corporation, Northrop Grumman, BAE Systems and Siemens EDA, will use the Azure Government cloud region’s new service to develop a technology solution for a secure microelectronics design for the DOD’s Rapid Assured Microelectronics Prototype program. Writing in a blog post, Mujtaba Hamid, principal program manager for Azure, said the new cloud services would have “Confidential and Secure Cloud Accessible Design Environment (CASCADE) such as, a secure, scalable, collaborative design, and manufacturing environment for Silicon and Microelectronics on Azure.” The blog post further states that the RAMP solution “will be hosted in Azure Government regions, ensuring compliance with DoD supply chain requirements.” Meanwhile, Microsoft has also announced a partnership with General Dynamics Information Technology that would provide Azure services access to federal customers.