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Pentagon

DoD Awards $35 Million To Support Construction Of Rare Earth Element Facility

By Cal Biesecker

Tuesday, February 22nd, 2022

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DoD Awards $35 Million To Support Construction Of Rare Earth Element Facility

The Defense Department on Tuesday awarded MP Materials Corp. [MP] a $35 million contract to support construction of a commercial scale processing facility for heavy rare earth elements (HREE) used in the manufacture of high-performance permanent magnets, part of the company’s plan to bring back a domestic supply chain for U.S. magnetics. “The primary applications for HREEs include permanent magnets used in products ranging from electric motors in electric vehicles, to the energy generators within wind turbines,” Deborah Rosenblum, acting…

Space

Upgrading Current GPS Ground System “Now a Viable Option,” As GPS OCX Problems Continue, Space Official Says

Upgrades to the GPS ground system–the Architecture Evolution Plan (AEP)–is an option under consideration by the Defense Department’s space acquisition chief, as problems continue in fielding the GPS Next Generation […]

Congress

Graham Says GOP To Move Ahead On Second Reconciliation Bill, With Defense Funds As Priority

Senate Budget Committee Chair Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) said Wednesday, with the White House’s backing, his panel will move “expeditiously” on crafting a second reconciliation bill, citing priorities for defense and […]

Pentagon

Hegseth Acknowledges Potential $200 Billion Iran Supplemental Request, Final Figure ‘Could Move’

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Thursday acknowledged the Pentagon could potentially ask Congress for $200 billion in supplemental funding to support the ongoing operation against Iran and replenish munitions used […]

Congress

Counter-Drone Flyaway Kit Used In U.S. In Early Hours Of Iran Strikes, NORTHCOM Head Says

U.S. Northern Command (NORTHCOM) used a counter small unmanned aircraft system (sUAS) flyaway kit (FAK) in the early hours of the strikes against Iran on Feb. 28, according to Air […]