The Department of War announced on December 22, 2025, an $18.5 million investment in Lattice Materials to expand its facility in Bozeman, Montana. The funding, authorized under the Defense Production Act Title III and drawn from the Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022, was originally made on September 26, 2025, but the announcement was delayed due to the government shutdown. This award supports Executive Order 14241, issued March 20, 2025, and aims to increase domestic production capacity for germanium and silicon crystals while reducing lead times for key military platforms.
What it means
The investment targets specific supply chain vulnerabilities in critical minerals. According to the Department of War, optics are a pacing item for major weapons platforms across all military services. The funding will allow Lattice Materials to increase production capacity for germanium and silicon crystals and establish new capability to produce germanium metal from recycled scrap. Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Policy Mike Cadenazzi stated that mitigating supply chain vulnerabilities and expanding domestic production for critical minerals is one of the department’s highest priorities. Acting Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for Industrial Base Resilience Jeffrey Frankston added that the goal is to increase readiness for multiple key platforms.
This award is part of a broader fiscal year 2025 effort by the DPA Purchases Office, which oversees investments under the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate. It is one of 19 investments made by the office this fiscal year, totaling $906.0 million in funding with $88.0 million in recipient cost shares.
Key facts
- $18.5 million investment amount for Lattice Materials
- Bozeman, Montana facility location
- Funding source: Defense Production Act Title III; Additional Ukraine Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2022
- Investment date: September 26, 2025
- Announcement date: December 22, 2025
- Supports Executive Order 14241 (March 20, 2025)
- Goal: Increase germanium and silicon crystal production; produce germanium metal from recycled scrap
- One of 19 DPA Purchases Office investments in fiscal year 2025 ($906.0 million total)
Source: Department of War news release (war.gov)