Presidential Determination Pursuant to Section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as Amended

This determination invokes Section 303 of the Defense Production Act to declare that domestic industrial capacity for ultra-high and high temperature composites used in hypersonic weapons, strategic missiles, and space launch systems is essential to national defense. It authorizes Defense Department purchases or commitments to incentivize production of these critical materials, finding that market forces alone cannot meet defense needs in a timely manner.

Federal Register Open PDF 85 FR 38747

Impact dates

Date TBD
Federal Register publication of memorandum

Key directives

Determine ultra-high and high temperature composites production capability essential to national defense under DPA Section 303(a)(5)
Authorize purchases, purchase commitments, or other DPA Section 303 actions as most cost-effective alternative
Direct Secretary of Defense to publish memorandum in Federal Register

Who is ordered

Secretary of Defense · Department of Defense

Timeline

Immediate

Determination takes effect upon signing; DPA Section 303 authority activated for composites production

Near term (90d)

DOD purchase commitments or other incentivizing actions may commence

Long term

Industrial base expansion for hypersonic/missile/space systems; potential multi-year production capability development

Risks & tensions

Specific dollar amounts, contract vehicles, and production targets not stated—implementation scope unclear
No explicit timeline for industrial base response or DOD procurement actions
May signal acceleration of hypersonic arms race with Russia/China; strategic stability implications not addressed
Cost-effectiveness claim ('most cost-effective alternative') is asserted but not substantiated in text