Charlotte, North Carolina, January 23, 2026
IperionX Limited has secured a $300,000 prototype purchase order from American Rheinmetall for 700 lightweight titanium components to be used in U.S. Army heavy ground combat systems. The components, designed to replace heavier steel parts, aim to reduce vehicle weight and improve performance. Produced in South Boston, Virginia, these components will leverage IperionX’s patented technologies and 100% recycled titanium feedstock, contributing to the strengthening of domestic defense supply chains.
Charlotte, North Carolina
IperionX Limited, a U.S. titanium technology company, has recently secured a prototype purchase order valued at $300,000 from American Rheinmetall. This order, announced within the last 48 hours, involves the production of 700 lightweight titanium components for integration into U.S. Army heavy ground combat systems. The initial agreement, manufactured at IperionX’s facility in South Boston, Virginia, signifies a critical step in strengthening domestic defense supply chains and has the potential to expand into a much larger future partnership upon successful delivery.
Enhanced Vehicle Performance
The lightweight titanium components are designed to replace heavier steel parts, aiming for a significant weight reduction of approximately 40% to 45% per component. This change could decrease the overall weight of each combat vehicle by several hundred kilograms, leading to improved acceleration, increased operational range, and enhanced agility. Such advancements are crucial for the mobility, survivability, and effectiveness of military platforms, especially as modern armored vehicles incorporate more protection and advanced systems.
Advanced Domestic Manufacturing
IperionX will produce these components entirely within the United States, utilizing 100% recycled titanium feedstock. This process leverages the company’s patented Hydrogen Assisted Metallothermic Reduction (HAMR) and Hydrogen Sintering and Phase Transformation (HSPT) technologies. These innovative methods are recognized for their ability to produce high-performance titanium at a lower cost, with reduced energy consumption, and fewer carbon emissions compared to traditional titanium production routes. IperionX holds the distinction of being the only domestic producer of commercial primary titanium, positioning it uniquely to support national defense needs with secure, cost-competitive, and environmentally conscious titanium products.
Strategic Defense Partnership
American Rheinmetall, a qualified supplier for all major U.S. Army ground combat vehicles, including the M1 Abrams Main Battle Tank and M2 Bradley Fighting Vehicle, plays a pivotal role in this initiative. The collaboration underscores a broader national effort to localize critical material supply chains and lessen dependence on foreign sources for essential defense components. The delivery of these 700 titanium track pins is expected within eight to nine months of the purchase order date.
Reshoring Critical Materials
The U.S. government has prioritized reshoring critical material supply chains to ensure national security and economic resilience. Titanium, designated as a critical metal, is vital for a wide range of advanced U.S. industries, including aerospace, defense, automotive, and space. Historically, the U.S. has been significantly reliant on foreign-controlled supply chains for titanium, importing over 95% of its required titanium sponge. Geopolitical factors, including the control of about 70% of the global titanium supply chain by countries like China and Russia, have further underscored the urgency of establishing robust domestic production capabilities.
Government Investment in Domestic Production (Nationwide)
In 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) demonstrated its commitment to strengthening the domestic titanium industry by awarding IperionX a contract worth up to $47.1 million. This two-year partnership, involving a combined investment of $70.7 million with IperionX’s contribution, aims to accelerate the development of a resilient, low-cost, and fully integrated mineral-to-metal titanium supply chain within the U.S.
Expansion of Virginia Manufacturing Campus (State-level)
A significant portion of this DoD funding, specifically $12.5 million, is allocated to accelerate the expansion of IperionX’s Titanium Manufacturing Campus in South Boston, Virginia. This investment is set to increase the facility’s titanium production capacity by more than 1,000 metric tons annually, marking a major step toward building a homegrown titanium industry. The company’s operations also include a titanium mining project in West Tennessee, known as the Titan Critical Minerals Project, which is one of the largest titanium, zirconium, and rare earth mineral deposits in the U.S. IperionX also operates a pilot plant near Salt Lake City, Utah, for producing 100% recycled titanium metal powder from scrap feedstock.
Broader Market Applications
Beyond defense, IperionX has secured commercial agreements with other major companies, including Ford Motor Co., the second-largest U.S. automaker, demonstrating the versatility and demand for its titanium products across various industries. The company is also producing components for consumer electronics, highlighting its expanding market reach. The long-term objective of IperionX is to achieve cost competitiveness with materials like stainless steel and aluminum by 2030, further broadening titanium’s adoption.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the latest news regarding IperionX?
A: IperionX Limited recently secured a prototype purchase order valued at $300,000 from American Rheinmetall for the production of 700 lightweight titanium components for U.S. Army heavy ground combat systems.
Q: Where will these titanium components be manufactured?
A: The components will be manufactured at IperionX’s facility in South Boston, Virginia, entirely within the United States.
Q: What is the purpose of using lightweight titanium components for U.S. Army heavy ground combat systems?
A: The lightweight titanium components are designed to replace heavier steel parts, aiming for a significant weight reduction of approximately 40% to 45% per component. This change could decrease the overall weight of each combat vehicle by several hundred kilograms, leading to improved acceleration, increased operational range, and enhanced agility.
Q: What proprietary technologies does IperionX use for titanium production?
A: IperionX utilizes its patented Hydrogen Assisted Metallothermic Reduction (HAMR) and Hydrogen Sintering and Phase Transformation (HSPT) technologies to produce high-performance titanium.
Q: How does this deal contribute to U.S. defense priorities?
A: This deal supports U.S. efforts to domesticate its critical materials supply chain, reducing reliance on foreign sources for essential defense components. IperionX is highlighted as the only domestic producer of commercial primary titanium.
Q: Has the U.S. Department of Defense previously invested in IperionX?
A: Yes, in 2025, the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) awarded IperionX a contract worth up to $47.1 million to strengthen the U.S. titanium supply chain, involving a combined investment of $70.7 million with IperionX’s contribution.
Q: What is the significance of the $12.5 million DoD funding for IperionX’s Virginia facility (State-level)?
A: A significant portion of this DoD funding, specifically $12.5 million, is allocated to accelerate the expansion of IperionX’s Titanium Manufacturing Campus in South Boston, Virginia. This investment is set to increase the facility’s titanium production capacity by more than 1,000 metric tons annually.
Key Features of the Prototype Deal
| Feature | Description | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Companies Involved | IperionX Limited and American Rheinmetall | Nationwide |
| Order Type | Prototype Purchase Order | Nationwide |
| Order Value | $300,000 | Nationwide |
| Components | 700 lightweight titanium components (track pins) | Nationwide |
| End-Use Application | U.S. Army heavy ground combat systems | Nationwide |
| Manufacturing Location | South Boston, Virginia, U.S. | State-level |
| Material Source | 100% recycled titanium feedstock | Nationwide |
| Key Technologies | Hydrogen Assisted Metallothermic Reduction (HAMR) and Hydrogen Sintering and Phase Transformation (HSPT) | Nationwide |
| Benefits | 40-45% weight reduction per component, improved vehicle performance (acceleration, range, agility, survivability, mobility) | Nationwide |
| Strategic Importance | Supports U.S. efforts to reshore critical materials supply chains and reduce reliance on foreign titanium sources | Nationwide |
| Potential Future | Could lead to a significantly larger agreement upon successful delivery | Nationwide |
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