Uganda’s Orom-Cross Graphite Powers Successful Mach 5.5 Hypersonic Rocket Test in US
Graphite from Blencowe Resources’ Orom-Cross project in Uganda has successfully undergone testing in a US hypersonic rocket programme, demonstrating its potential for high-value aerospace and defence applications.
The test, conducted on 18 August 2026 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, involved aerospace company Pluto Aerospace, American Energy Technologies Co (AETC), Purdue University, US government agencies and Blencowe Resources.
The Pluto Aerospace solid-fuel rocket reached a maximum speed of Mach 5.5 and acceleration approaching 150G, significantly exceeding the performance achieved during an earlier test in April.
Graphite used in critical components
Orom-Cross graphite was incorporated into several components of the hypersonic vehicle.
AETC used the graphite to manufacture an ablative rocket nozzle insert designed to withstand extreme temperatures and support thrust performance.
Orom-Cross material was also incorporated into anti-friction and ice-phobic coatings applied to the rocket’s four aluminium fins.
Natural graphite from Orom-Cross was additionally used in the lithium-ion battery powering the rocket’s altimeter.
The 3.8 Ah battery cells, manufactured by Navitas Systems, combined natural graphite supplied by Blencowe with recycled graphite produced through AETC’s direct-recycling process.
The battery contained up to 15% recycled graphite and used no synthetic graphite.
Expanding high-value markets
Blencowe said the successful flight strengthens the case for Orom-Cross graphite in specialist markets beyond conventional graphite concentrate sales.
The company has been working with AETC to develop value-added applications for its graphite, including rocket components, advanced coatings and battery materials.
Executive Chairman Cameron Pearce said the results demonstrate the potential for Orom-Cross graphite to serve aerospace and military applications and could support new strategic offtake relationships as the project moves towards production.
The company is currently working to complete funding for the first stage of Orom-Cross development, while continuing product testing and commercial discussions with potential customers.
Further testing planned
The latest rocket test forms part of an ongoing programme with Pluto Aerospace focused initially on hypersonic sub-orbital rockets.
Further orbital testing is planned for the fourth quarter of 2026, providing another opportunity to evaluate the performance of Orom-Cross graphite under demanding aerospace conditions.
For Blencowe, successful testing could help differentiate Orom-Cross from competing graphite projects by opening access to specialised, higher-margin applications in aerospace, defence and advanced energy storage.
The company is therefore pursuing a strategy of developing multiple value-added markets alongside the planned production of graphite concentrate from the Ugandan project.
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