Blencowe Resources is assessing Orom-Cross graphite for higher-value aerospace, defence and industrial applications after the material was tested in a hypersonic rocket programme. Graphite from the Orom-Cross project in Uganda was incorporated into an ablative rocket-nozzle insert, fin coatings and a lithium-ion battery used to power the vehicle’s altimeter. The test vehicle reached approximately Mach 5.5, with acceleration approaching 150G, according to the company.
Graphite Used in Multiple Rocket Components
The 3.8 amp-hour battery used during the test contained natural graphite and up to 15% recycled graphite by weight, with no synthetic graphite included.
Blencowe said additional testing is planned, including an orbital programme in the fourth quarter of 2026. The hypersonic programme does not constitute a commercial order or offtake agreement. Instead, it expands the applications being evaluated for Orom-Cross natural flake graphite beyond conventional battery markets.
Focus on Specialist Graphite Applications
Battery-anode demand remains the dominant graphite market, with producers competing against Chinese suppliers of both natural and synthetic graphite. Aerospace, defence and specialised industrial applications can provide higher-value markets, although these uses generally require extended technical qualification and customer approval.
Blencowe is seeking to establish whether Orom-Cross graphite can meet technical specifications required for applications beyond standard battery materials. The strategic importance of natural graphite has increased as Western governments seek to reduce dependence on Chinese processing capacity. Europe and the United States continue to rely on imported graphite and downstream processing for battery and specialised industrial uses.
Orom-Cross Faces Development and Qualification Requirements
Orom-Cross is being developed as a potential source of natural flake graphite, while the project remains subject to financing, development and customer-qualification risks. The hypersonic test provides additional technical evidence for the material’s potential applications, but it has not established commercial demand. Future commercial progress will depend on qualification programmes, offtake agreements and the ability of Orom-Cross material to enter premium markets at meaningful scale.
