IperionX has secured a second task order from the U.S. Army to expand industrial-scale titanium manufacturing capacity in the United States, with US$11.5 million in funding currently obligated under the agreement.
In an ASX announcement, the company said the Task Order 2 was issued under its existing Small Business Innovation Research Phase III contract for low-cost domestic titanium for defence applications, which has a collective ceiling of up to US$99 million.
The new order has a stated base value of US$18.5 million, with unexercised and unfunded options that could increase its potential value to US$25.4 million, subject to U.S. Government approval and funding.
According to IperionX, the funding will support equipment and manufacturing systems at its Virginia facility, including continuous HSPT™ processing, dehydride furnace capacity, and equipment for bringing titanium fastener finishing in-house.
“This second U.S. Army task order represents an important step in scaling IperionX’s titanium powder-to-part manufacturing platform,” said IperionX CEO Taso Arima.
“The program will expand our capacity to manufacture titanium track pins, bolts and fasteners for the U.S. Army, shorten production lead times and strengthen the domestic titanium manufacturing capabilities required to support U.S. defense supply chains.”
The three fully funded work packages cover continuous HSPT™ furnace development, centerless grinding and thread-rolling equipment for fastener production, and industrial-scale continuous HSPT™ and dehydrogenation furnaces.
IperionX said the program is intended to increase manufacturing throughput and flexibility while reducing reliance on external finishing suppliers. Production-scale titanium track pins, bolts and fasteners are planned for U.S. Army ground-combat applications, with inspection and acceptance planned at Detroit Arsenal.
The company’s manufacturing platform combines its HAMR™ technology, which produces low-oxygen titanium powder from titanium scrap or mineral feedstocks, with HSPT™ processing to convert the powder into near-net-shape components.
Task Orders 1 and 2 have a combined stated value of approximately US$19.8 million, leaving US$79.2 million available under the US$99 million contract ceiling, according to IperionX.
The latest order also includes options for potential work involving aerospace-grade titanium components, C103 alloy scrap recycling and the development of spherical niobium and C103 powders. These options remain subject to further funding, technical development and customer qualification.
IperionX said the new capacity is intended to support both U.S. defence requirements and its broader commercial strategy across aerospace and other advanced manufacturing markets.
The content of this article is based on information supplied by IperionX Limited. For more information, please refer to the official company announcement and communications from IperionX. Please consult a licensed and/or registered professional in this area before making any decisions based on the content of this article.
