Why China’s Dominance in Critical Materials Is a National Security Risk

DETROIT — A new Pentagon-backed program anchored in Detroit is taking direct aim at a growing national security threat: U.S. dependence on China and other foreign adversaries for the advanced materials needed to build next-generation weapons systems.

The four-year, $9 million Critical Materials Processing initiative, led by LIFT, will focus on scaling domestic production of advanced ceramics and composite materials essential for hypersonic weapons, advanced aircraft, and space platforms — technologies increasingly central to modern warfare.

Funded through the U.S. Department of Defense’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) program, the effort reflects rising urgency in Washington to rebuild fragile supply chains exposed during recent geopolitical tensions.

Michigan Moves From Motor City To Defense Hub

Michigan’s role in national defense is expanding rapidly — even if it remains under the radar.

The state is home to the Detroit Arsenal in Warren, a cornerstone of U.S. Army ground vehicle development, as well as major defense contractors like General Dynamics Land Systems and a dense network of manufacturers capable of pivoting into aerospace and defense production.

“This is about ensuring that the U.S. has secure, domestic access to the materials that power everything from aircraft to next-generation weapons systems,” said Nigel Francis, CEO and executive director of LIFT. “Right now, there are critical gaps in our ability to scale these technologies at home.”

State and federal leaders have increasingly identified Michigan as a strategic location to help close those gaps, leveraging its deep manufacturing base and engineering talent.

China Supply Chain Risks Fuel Pentagon Push

The urgency behind the program is being driven in part by continued reliance on foreign — and in some cases adversarial — supply chains.

A recent assessment from the U.S. Department of Defense warned that shortages and foreign dependencies in critical materials could disrupt production of essential defense systems.

Industry analysts say the risk is not theoretical.

“Advanced materials are now a frontline issue in national security,” said Todd Harrison, a defense budget and strategy expert. “If you don’t control the supply chain for these materials, you don’t control your ability to build and sustain military capability. That’s the vulnerability the Pentagon is trying to fix.”

Why Ceramics Are Now Strategic Assets

At the center of the program are advanced ceramics and ceramic matrix composites (CMCs), materials capable of withstanding extreme heat and stress where traditional metals fail.

These materials are essential for:

  • Hypersonic missile systems

  • Jet engines and turbine components

  • Spacecraft and reentry vehicles

  • Advanced armor systems

Despite their importance, U.S. production capacity remains limited — particularly for precursor materials like carbon fiber.

From Lab Breakthroughs To Real Manufacturing

The LIFT-led initiative is designed to move these technologies out of research labs and into scalable production — a step the U.S. has historically struggled to achieve.

The program brings together the Air Force Research Laboratory and industry partners including Exothermics, Kratos SRE, and Materials Research & Design.

Key focus areas include:

  • Scaling solid-state ceramic battery technology

  • Expanding domestic carbon fiber production

  • Developing ultra-high-temperature ceramic matrix composites

  • Conducting a national gap analysis of ceramic manufacturing capabilities

Advanced manufacturing techniques such as compression molding and high-pressure resin injection will be used to accelerate production timelines.

Economic Stakes For Michigan

Beyond national security, the initiative could reshape parts of Michigan’s manufacturing economy.

By building domestic capacity for advanced materials, the program is expected to:

  • Create high-skilled manufacturing jobs

  • Expand opportunities for Michigan-based suppliers

  • Strengthen supply chains across defense, aerospace, and even automotive sectors

“This isn’t just a defense story — it’s an industrial policy story,” Harrison said. “Programs like this are about rebuilding the manufacturing base in places like Michigan.”

Closing The Gap Before It’s Too Late

Francis said the U.S. has long lagged in turning promising materials research into scalable production — a gap that is now drawing heightened concern.

“Ceramic-based materials hold enormous promise, but the U.S. has struggled to move them from research into commercialization,” he said. “This program is designed to close that gap and ensure these technologies are produced here at home.”

About LIFT

LIFT, operated by the American Lightweight Materials Manufacturing Innovation Institute, is a Detroit-based public-private partnership between the Department of Defense, industry, and academia focused on developing and deploying advanced manufacturing technologies and strengthening the U.S. workforce.