Vulcan Elements to supply NdFeB magnets for US Army drone initiative

Republished by AIC Engineering. All rights belong to the original publisher; see Source below.

Vulcan Elements, Durham, North Carolina, USA, has been selected by the US Army to supply neodymium iron boron (NdFeB) magnets for SkyFoundry, its Small Unmanned Aircraft Systems initiative.

According to the company, SkyFoundry is intended to establish vertically integrated production of small drones at Tobyhanna Army Depot in Pennsylvania, with a stated target of producing one million drones annually in the United States.

Vulcan Elements was reportedly selected after submitting data sheets demonstrating that its magnets met the Army’s required performance specifications. The solicitation also required “a fully domestic, vertically integrated manufacturing process” as well as evaluations of the company’s capabilities and past performance by existing customers.

“Rare earth magnets are foundational to the military capabilities that we need to defend our country, including drones. Vulcan is working every day to bring this vital capability back to American soil,” stated John Maslin, CEO of Vulcan Elements. “As small drone systems become even more critical on the modern battlefield, we’re committed to ensuring that our military can manufacture them without having to ask for permission. This isn’t just a manufacturing challenge; it’s a national security imperative.”

Vulcan Elements noted that its rare earth magnet supply chain is independent of China across materials, technology, software, intellectual property and ownership. Its magnets will be used in brushless direct current motors for the Army’s small drone systems.

The company stated that the award is its tenth Department of War contract to date, covering programmes across all branches of the US military.

Vulcan Elements is also constructing a 102,000 m2 manufacturing facility in Benson, North Carolina. The company stated that the plant will have an annual magnet production capacity of 10,000 metric tonnes and will supply products for defence systems, semiconductor fabrication, robotics, drones, AI infrastructure, and automotive applications.

Source

• Powder Metallurgy Review (2026-10-06)
• Original article: Vulcan Elements to supply NdFeB magnets for US Army drone initiative
• https://www.metal-powder.tech/vulcan-elements-to-supply-ndfeb-magnets-for-us-army-drone-initiative/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=vulcan-elements-to-supply-ndfeb-magnets-for-us-army-drone-initiative