U.S. Army Seeks Additional Rare Earth Magnet Suppliers for Small-Drone Motors

Highlights

• Tobyhanna Army Depot issued an RFI seeking companies to supply N52SH NdFeB magnets for brushless DC motors used in small uncrewed aircraft systems.
• Existing IDIQ awards to Vulcan Elements and Noveon Magnetics each carry a $1.2 million maximum ceiling, signaling the Army wants to expand its qualified supplier base.
• Suppliers must demonstrate mine-to-magnet traceability, covering mining, refining, alloying, machining, and magnetization stages.
• Each of three BLDC motor sizes requires 14 radially magnetized arc-segment magnets, covering roughly 4–12-inch sUAS platforms.
• Responses are due October 28, 2026; this is market research, not a formal RFP or guaranteed procurement.