Moog and Niron Magnetics are qualifying rare-earth-free Iron Nitride magnets for military actuators, aiming to reduce defence electronics’ dependence on concentrated critical-mineral supply chains.
Moog and Niron Magnetics are developing rare-earth-free actuator technology for US military systems, targeting applications including Army land vehicles and guided munitions. The companies will showcase the technology at the AUSA 2026 Annual Meeting and Exposition in Washington, D.C., in October 2026.
At the centre of the technology are Niron’s Iron Nitride permanent magnets, which Moog is testing and qualifying for electromechanical actuators that convert electrical signals into mechanical motion. Replacing conventional rare-earth magnets could reduce supply-chain exposure for motors, actuators and other precision defence electronics.
At AUSA 2026, the companies plan to display Iron Nitride magnets installed in tested motor hardware and discuss integration, qualification timelines and supply availability.
“The Army is transforming quickly, and the systems soldiers rely on can only move as fast as the supply chains behind them. Our work with Niron is about making sure a disruption never stands between the warfighter and the capability they need,” said Ryan Aures, Moog Land and Sea Systems engineering director.
Niron’s magnets are designed without rare-earth materials, offering an alternative to magnets dependent on critical-mineral supply chains heavily concentrated in China. “Today almost all of that supply runs through a single foreign source,” said Jonathan Rowntree, CEO of Niron Magnetics.
The Council on Foreign Relations says China controls up to 90% of global critical-mineral processing capacity, including more than 99% of processing for three rare earths needed for heat-resistant magnets.
Moog and Niron announced their collaboration in December 2025. Niron has been producing Iron Nitride magnets and conducting customer qualification since 2025, and expects commercial production within the next 18 months.
