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Blencowe Resources Plc (LSE: BRES) is pleased to report further successful testing of Orom-Cross graphite products within advanced aerospace and defence applications.

On 18 August 2026 American Energy Technologies Co (“AETC”), Pluto Aerospace, Purdue University and US Government Agencies, together with Blencowe COO Iain Wearing, attended a rocket test programme in Las Cruces, New Mexico. The successful Pluto Aerospace solid-fuel rocket flight achieved a maximum speed of Mach 5.5 and acceleration approaching 150G, representing a substantial increase in speed and acceleration from the previous test programme undertaken in April. 

Importantly, Orom-Cross graphite was incorporated across multiple critical components aboard the hypersonic vehicle, including an ablative rocket nozzle insert, performance-enhancing coatings applied to the rocket fins and natural graphite used within the lithium-ion battery powering the rocket’s altimeter. 

The successful test further demonstrates the potential for Orom-Cross graphite to access specialist, high-value aerospace and defence markets, supporting Blencowe’s strategy to continually develop higher-value product pathways as Orom-Cross advances towards production.

Highlights

·      Successful hypersonic rocket flight in the USA incorporating Orom-Cross graphite across multiple critical components

·      Pluto Aerospace rocket achieved a maximum speed of Mach 5.5 and acceleration approaching 150G

·      Orom-Cross graphite incorporated within an advanced ablative rocket nozzle insert manufactured by AETC

·      Orom-Cross natural graphite used in performance-enhancing anti-friction and ice-phobic coatings applied to the rocket fins

·      Lithium-ion battery powering the rocket’s altimeter used natural graphite supplied by Blencowe alongside recycled graphite, with zero synthetic graphite

·      Successful testing further demonstrates the potential for Orom-Cross graphite within high-value aerospace and military applications

·      High-end defence applications provide potential pathways to new strategic offtake relationships and funding opportunities

·      Continued collaboration with US graphite technical specialist AETC is opening further value-added applications for Orom-Cross graphite

·      Further orbital testing planned for Q4 2026

Blencowe provided graphite concentrates from Orom-Cross to technical partner AETC, which manufactured mouldings for rocket and missile exhaust nozzles replacing a proportion of the synthetic graphites normally used in these applications. The resultant nozzles underwent rigorous testing prior to installation on the rocket.

The initial testing programme is being undertaken with Pluto Aerospace for hypersonic sub-orbital rockets, with orbital testing planned for the final quarter of 2026.

The successful flight conducted on 18 August 2026 utilised a substantially larger motor than the previous test undertaken in April, achieving a maximum speed of Mach 5.5 and acceleration approaching 150G.

In addition to the highly innovative rocket motor, Orom-Cross graphite was incorporated into several important components aboard the hypersonic vehicle:

·      an advanced ablative nozzle insert manufactured by AETC for enhanced thrust performance;

·      performance-enhancing anti-friction and ice-phobic coatings applied to the rocket’s four aluminium fins; and

·      natural graphite used within the lithium-ion battery powering the rocket’s altimeter.

Of special note is the application of 3.8 Ah pouch cells, manufactured by Navitas Systems incorporating manufactured natural graphite supplied by Blencowe together with recycled graphite produced through AETC’s direct recycling process. The battery incorporated up to 15 wt.% recycled and “healed” graphite produced through AETC’s direct recycling process and represents the first known example in the North American battery industry of a fully functional form-factored battery incorporating industrially manufactured recycled graphite as a significant component of both the active material and cathode conductivity additive.

Importantly, the battery, comprised of 100% natural flake graphite from raw and recycled materials, with no synthetic graphites, further demonstrating the potential for Orom-Cross graphite to be utilised within specialist, high-value military and aerospace applications.

With the launch of this rocket, Pluto Aerospace and AETC highlighted a group of trusted vendors and raw material suppliers involved in the programme, including Navitas Systems, an advanced U.S. battery manufacturer; Blencowe Resources plc, the supplier of Orom-Cross graphite used in rocket nozzles, battery and ice phobic coatings aboard the flight; and Cadoux Limited, a supplier of nanoscale alumina used as a critical safety component of lithium-ion batteries.

Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce commented:

“These results continue to highlight the emergence of Orom-Cross graphite as an important source of high-quality graphite products for use in military and aerospace applications. There are relatively few graphite projects worldwide capable of supplying the quality of products required for these specialist applications, which may open new offtake relationships and strategic opportunities and places Orom-Cross in a strong position moving forward as we advance towards first production.”

As we complete funding for P1 Production and move to building the first stage of operations, we are continuously testing new products and adding new offtakers, each of which builds further value within the Project.  Our strategy is to differentiate Orom-Cross from other graphite projects by targeting the most lucrative markets available to us, through both our products and strategic relationships.”

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Diagram 1 : Showing latest Pluto rocket tested using Orom-Cross graphite

Diagram 2 : Rocket nozzle utilising Orom-Cross materials

Diagram 3 : Rocket Fins with Orom-Cross Ico phobic coatings applied to four sides (different samples), plus control sample (beige side)

Diagram 4 : Battery cell composed of 85% natural graphite (Orom-Cross) and 15% recycled graphite