ePropelled signs joint development agreement with USA Rare Earth

Laconia, New Hampshire-based ePropelled Inc., a global producer of advanced propulsion and energy management technologies, has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with USA Rare Earth Inc. (USAR) to develop a strategic supply and purchase relationship providing sintered neo magnets for use in ePropelled’s motors used in uncrewed air, land, and sea drones.

“We’re thrilled to partner with USA Rare Earth to secure the rare earth materials essential to our uncrewed vehicle solutions,” said Nick Grewal, ePropelled’s founder, chairman and CEO. “Expanding our supply chain in the U.S. and globally is key to meeting the high expectations of our customers and staying ahead in this fast-moving industry.”

Sintered magnet technology, specifically developed for high-performance permanent magnets, involves precision processing of rare earth alloys to deliver unmatched magnetic strength and stability. USAR will immediately begin prototyping neo magnets for use in ePropelled’s high-performance motors, controllers, generators, and power management systems from its Oklahoma manufacturing plant. ePropelled’s systems are used in uncrewed vehicles (UAV) for air, land, and sea – from large-payload aerial drones and long-range defense applications, as well as for small surveillance and commercial drone designs.

“This agreement is another milestone in our efforts to fill our 2026 pipeline and work through the development and qualification process with customers across industries as we complete the commissioning of our Stillwater manufacturing facility,” said Joshua Ballard, CEO of USA Rare Earth. “We are very pleased to partner with such an innovative company as ePropelled, a global leader in magnetics engineering and a proven pioneer in the design and production of electric propulsion solutions. We look forward to working with the ePropelled team to develop a true partnership in providing Made-in-the-USA designated high-quality, high-performance magnets for use in their pioneering and innovative solutions.”

USAR is currently constructing a 310k square foot rare earth sintered neo magnet manufacturing facility in Stillwater, Oklahoma. USAR also controls mining rights to the Round Top Mountain rare earth and critical minerals deposit in West Texas, which holds significant deposits of heavy rare earths, such as dysprosium and terbium, as well as gallium, beryllium, lithium, and other critical tech minerals. USAR’s permanent neo magnets and rare earth minerals are required for a wide variety of products used in the defense, automotive, aviation, industrial, medical, and consumer electronics industries.