USA Rare Earth announces joint development agreement with ePropelled for supply of neo magnets for drone technology

USA Rare Earth, Inc., today announced that it has signed a joint development agreement (JDA) with ePropelled, Inc. to develop a strategic supply and purchase relationship of the Company’s sintered neo magnets for use in ePropelled’s state-of-the-art motors, which are used in a multitude of uncrewed air, land, and sea vehicles (commonly referred to as drones).

USAR will immediately begin prototyping neo magnets for use in ePropelled’s high-performance motors, controllers, generators, and power management systems. 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.”

“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 — both in the U.S. and globally — is key to meeting the high expectations of our customers and staying ahead in this fast-moving industry.”

Operating worldwide, ePropelled serves a broad customer base that spans aerospace, defense, industrial automation, and maritime industries. The company’s technologies are used in mission-critical applications including long-endurance surveillance drones, robotic ground vehicles, and autonomous marine vessels. Its compliance with international defense standards (e.g. NDAA) and focus on domestically manufactured components make it especially attractive to governments and OEMs seeking secure, export-ready solutions.