U.S. Weapons Systems Dependent on Rare Earth Elements from China

[The Straight Story]

U.S. Weapons Systems Dependent on Rare Earth Elements from China

Having given up years ago on mining its own rare earth minerals, leaving it vulnerable to Chinese imports, the United States now finds itself in a potentially precarious position of not having the necessary materials for important military weapons.

An analysis by the Congressional Research Service has revealed that the Department of Defense is dependent on two rare-earth minerals, samarium cobalt and neodymium iron boron, for the production of special magnets for precision-guided missiles, smart bombs and aircraft.

Specifically, the magnets are found in:

· Fin actuators in missile guidance and control systems, controlling the direction of
the missile;
· Disk drive motors installed in aircraft, tanks, missile systems, and command and
control centers;
· Lasers for enemy mine detection, interrogators, underwater mines, and
countermeasures;
· Satellite communications, radar, and sonar on submarines and surface ships
· Optical equipment and speakers.

http://www.allgov.com/Top_Stories/ViewNews/US_Weapons_Systems_Dependent_on_Rare_Earth_Elements_from_China_110411

[MineralMan]

1. Our distaste for mining in the US has cost us mightily.

Mining is an ugly business - no question about it. But outsourcing it to faraway places is risky.

[Mudoria]

2. We're starting to gear up our own rare earth mining

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/molycorp-to-make-rare-earth-magnets-with-hitachi-in-u.s/

[RC]

3. Sounds good.

They make parts for our war toys anyway.

This country is so screwed if we can't regain control.

[Motown_Johnny]

4. good, we should buy all they have. So they won't have any

sneaky!

[jeff47]

5. There's more than one kind of dependency

One type is something like oil. Where there isn't enough of it in the US to sustain US demand.

The other type is something like Rare Earth Elements. Where China mines it so cheaply that US mines can't compete.

In the first scenario, if we are "cut off", we're screwed. Hence, military adventures to avoid that.
In the second scenario, if we are "cut off", we're fine. US mines can replace what China is no longer selling.