Specialty Metal Use by the Department of Defense Analysis and Issues

Specialty metals are essential to the manufacture and performance capabilities of certain Department of Defense (DOD) weapon system parts, due to their unique properties, such as being highly magnetic, lightweight, corrosion resistant, or having high durability. Among these metals are samarium-cobalt alloy magnets used to make radar systems, as well as titanium and certain steel alloys used to make aircraft, submarines, and tactical ground vehicles. There are few, if any, substitutes for some of these metals. This book assesses how DOD meets its needs for specialty metals parts and ensures compliance with restrictions; and DOD's process for providing national security waivers for specialty metal procurements and the extent to which it disseminates waiver information throughout the department.