In a significant development for the American critical minerals and defense technology sectors, NioCorp Developments Ltd., a leading U.S. critical minerals developer, has entered a collaborative agreement with defense giant Lockheed Martin, specifically its Skunk Works advanced development programs division. The effort, officially announced today, is underwritten by the U.S. Department of War as part of a $10 million initiative focused on developing prototype components of aluminum-scandium alloy for application in modern fighter aircraft. The partnership, leveraging Title III of the Defense Production Act, is designed to establish an end-to-end domestic scandium supply chain, connecting U.S. mining at the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project in Nebraska with advanced alloy production for national defense applications.

The joint program addresses one of the Pentagon's key priorities: reducing the nation’s reliance on foreign sources for critical minerals crucial to both defense and advanced manufacturing. Scandium, in particular, has historically been sourced entirely from abroad, with uses in aerospace alloys, advanced solid oxide fuel cells, lightweight structural materials, and cutting-edge magnetic technologies. By supporting domestically mined and processed scandium, the project aims to mitigate strategic vulnerabilities and foster supply chain resilience for mission-critical materials as outlined in the President’s March 2025 Executive Order 14241, which intensifies efforts to increase domestic mineral production.

NioCorp’s Elk Creek site is poised to deliver approximately 100 tonnes of scandium oxide annually, along with co-production of niobium, titanium, and key rare earth elements such as neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium. Each of these elements has substantial roles in the steel and specialty alloys industry, with niobium in particular used for manufacturing High Strength, Low Alloy (HSLA) steels popular in automotive, pipeline, and structural applications. The Elk Creek Project’s advancement will give U.S. steelmakers and alloy producers unprecedented access to a domestic supply of these strategic materials, paving the way for downstream applications ranging from lightweight railroad cars and pipeline tubing to advanced energy and defense systems.

OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, emphasized the importance of connecting critical minerals mining directly to advanced materials development: “This initiative leverages domestic sourcing and advanced manufacturing to give the warfighter an edge.” Mark A. Smith, NioCorp CEO and Chairman, highlighted the broader industrial impact: “When NioCorp comes online with domestic scandium oxide production, it won’t just be a game changer for U.S. defense—it will transform the landscape for commercial alloy makers, steel producers, and manufacturers requiring lighter, stronger materials.”

The project’s funding comes after fervent congressional support, including targeted appropriations from U.S. Senator Deb Fischer and other members of the Nebraska delegation. The program exemplifies bipartisan alignment to secure domestic strategic material supply, in line with recent federal investments in American infrastructure, defense, and resilient manufacturing ecosystems.

With work now underway on prototype component manufacturing and supply chain integration, companies across the steel production, alloy manufacturing, and advanced materials sectors are expected to benefit from the increased supply security and innovation opportunities. The Pentagon, through this NioCorp-Lockheed partnership, is giving U.S. steel and specialty metals producers a first foothold in the rapidly emerging scandium and critical minerals economy—a sector likely to see ongoing growth and investment as technology and sustainability requirements shape the future of American industry.