Moog and Niron Magnetics Target Rare-Earth-Free Defense Supply Chains

The collaboration, which began in December 2025, centers on integrating Iron Nitride permanent magnets into high-performance electromechanical actuators. By testing these components, Moog intends to decouple critical defense hardware from foreign-controlled mineral markets. Ryan Aures, Engineering Director for Moog Land and Sea Systems, noted that the initiative prioritizes mission readiness by insulating the warfighter from potential supply bottlenecks.

For Niron Magnetics, the display at Booth #1947 serves as a proof point for their manufacturing platform. CEO Jonathan Rowntree emphasized that the reliance on a single foreign source for traditional magnets creates a vulnerability in precision systems. With Niron moving toward commercial production within the next 18 months, the companies are positioning Iron Nitride as a commercially viable, American-made alternative for the Department of Defense. This shift aligns with broader federal strategies to diversify the industrial base through domestic, readily available technologies.