Lightwave Logic Confirms Fully Rare-Earth-Free and U.S.-Based Production of Perkinamine Platform

Lightwave Logic reaffirms its commitment to a fully rare-earth-free and U.S.-based production of Perkinamine, a high-performance electro-optic polymer material. Unlike alternative platforms reliant on fragile and geopolitically sensitive supply chains, Perkinamine is engineered for complete supply chain resilience. The company's entire production process is conducted domestically, ensuring full control over manufacturing, quality assurance, and innovation.

Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics have made significant strides in the joint development of solid rocket motors (SRMs), a crucial component for the U.S. defense industrial base. The two companies, along with their respective subsidiaries, have been collaborating to expedite SRM production, aiming to enhance supply chain resilience and bring advanced propulsion capabilities to market.

On October 14, 2025, Lockheed Martin and General Dynamics announced notable progress in their joint venture, as detailed in a MarketScreener report. The partnership has been focused on building supply chain resilience and advancing the production of SRMs. Key milestones achieved include the progression of major subcomponent design and testing, a critical design review of all SRM elements, and the execution of a full-scale inert SRM build, validating critical tooling, assembly, and production processes.

The collaboration has led to the construction of a new General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems (GDOTS) solid rocket motor manufacturing site in Camden, Arkansas. Spanning 270 acres, the site includes over 50,000 square feet of production space across 16 purpose-built facilities, supporting the full lifecycle of SRM development and manufacturing. The site is on track for completion to support qualification builds planned for 2026, creating nearly 100 new jobs and contributing to regional economic growth.

Jerry Brode, vice president of Lockheed Martin's Solid Rocket Motor Product Center, expressed satisfaction with the progress: "Successfully hitting these critical design and production milestones highlights the momentum behind the program and strong industry collaboration. Together with our partners, we are creating a new source of supply for a critical component of the nation's defense."

Chris Haynes, senior vice president of GDOTS, emphasized the significance of the new facility: "This state-of-the-art facility marks a pivotal moment for our solid-propulsion portfolio. By combining trusted manufacturing approaches with proven automation, we are building the resilience needed to guarantee reliable, high-quality and on-time delivery of SRMs at production scale."

Looking ahead, the team is preparing for the next major milestone, a static test of the solid rocket motor, which will validate performance and readiness for future development phases. The partnership remains committed to building supply chain resilience and bringing advanced propulsion capabilities to market at speed and scale.

In addition to this collaboration, Aqua Metals and Impossible Metals have announced a partnership to develop sustainable domestic mineral supply chains for clean energy technologies. This partnership aims to combine Impossible Metals’ advanced seabed mineral collection techniques with Aqua Metals’ proprietary AquaRefining™ process to responsibly source and refine minerals like nickel, cobalt, and rare earth elements, thereby enhancing the resilience of the U.S. supply chain, according to a QuiverQuant report.

The U.S. supply chain resilience is a critical aspect of national security and economic stability. These initiatives by Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics, Aqua Metals, and Impossible Metals demonstrate a commitment to strengthening domestic production capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign sources for critical components and materials.