Maybe the technology to separate it from its oxide wasn't developed here. E. Cannon Dr. A sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic. A slipping sear could let your M203 grenade launcher fire when you least expect it. That would make you quite unpopular in what's left of your unit.
Sacred cows make the best hamburger.
The signal to noise ratio here is way off. I think the problem is that almost all the recent Skunk Works projects are secret. Therefore, there is nothing to post in this mailing list except de-classified stuff from old projects, and rumores. I think it is OK to talk about aviation stuff in this mailing list. If so, they may be very busy or forbidden to post something in this mailing list.