On August 5, 2026, Reuters reported that Lockheed Martin is in discussions with miners in the United States and Canada to procure two critical minerals, scandium and germanium. Specifically, it is negotiating with NioCorp Developments for scandium procurement and with Teck Resources and 5N Plus for germanium supply. These minerals will be used in military equipment such as aircraft components and infrared sensors. If an agreement is reached, it will represent a significant step forward in the United States' efforts to establish a domestic supply chain for critical minerals.