The Defense Department in a new report has identified four supply chain "focus areas" in which "critical vulnerabilities pose the most pressing threat to national security," including hypersonic missile technology. The four focus areas are: kinetic capabilities, which includes existing missile capabilities, hypersonic weapons and directed-energy systems; energy storage and batteries, specifically lithium batteries; castings and forgings with metals or composites developed into key parts and manufacturing tools; and microelectronics, according to DOD’s new report. The report, which was produced...
