Blencowe Resources (BRES) has reported successful testing of its Orom-Cross graphite across multiple critical components of a hypersonic rocket that reached speeds of Mach 5.5 during a US test programme.
The 18 August flight in Las Cruces, New Mexico, was conducted by Pluto Aerospace alongside American Energy Technologies Co (AETC), Purdue University and US Government Agencies. Blencowe COO Iain Wearing attended the test.
The solid-fuel rocket achieved acceleration approaching 150G, marking a significant increase in performance from an earlier test programme undertaken in April.
Graphite from the Orom-Cross Project in Uganda was used in an ablative rocket nozzle insert, performance-enhancing anti-friction and ice-phobic coatings applied to the rocket's fins, and within the lithium-ion battery powering the vehicle's altimeter.
AETC manufactured graphite mouldings for rocket and missile exhaust nozzles using Orom-Cross concentrates supplied by Blencowe, replacing a proportion of the synthetic graphite typically used in such applications.
The battery application was also notable, incorporating natural graphite supplied by Blencowe alongside recycled graphite produced through AETC's direct recycling process. The company said the battery contained no synthetic graphite and represented a significant demonstration of natural and recycled graphite within an advanced aerospace application.
The successful flight used a substantially larger motor than the rocket tested in April. Further orbital testing is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026.
Blencowe said the programme demonstrates the potential for Orom-Cross graphite to enter specialist aerospace and defence markets, which could provide opportunities for new strategic offtake relationships and funding as the project advances towards production.
Blencowe Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce said: "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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The Mach 5.5 test provides another practical demonstration of the potential for Orom-Cross graphite beyond conventional markets. With applications spanning rocket nozzles, specialist coatings and battery materials, Blencowe is building evidence for higher-value product pathways as it moves closer to production.