Focus Graphite Achieves First Aerospace Validation with Lac Knife Graphite in a Successful Hypersonic Rocket Launch Successful launch marks Focus Graphite's entry into real- world defense and aerospace applications
Focus Graphite Achieves First Aerospace
Validation with Lac Knife Graphite in a
Successful Hypersonic Rocket Launch
Successful launch marks Focus Graphite's entry into real-
world defense and aerospace applications
Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 26, 2025) -
Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB:
FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0)
("
Focus
" or the "
Company
"), a leading Canadian graphite developer
advancing high-grade projects in Québec, is pleased to announce the successful launch of Pluto
Aerospace's Dash 1 Flight 003 solid-fuel rocket, featuring nozzle components developed using graphite
from Focus' Lac Knife project. The project was completed in collaboration with American Energy
Technologies Company ("
AETC
"), Pluto Aerospace ("
Pluto
"), a Purdue Strategic Ventures portfolio
company, with additional support from ACP Technologies ("
ACP
"). AETC utilized Lac Knife natural
graphite and synthetic graphite to produce a near-net shape manufactured graphite nozzle, which was
successfully integrated into the Dash 1 sounding hypersonic rocket.
The launch took place on August 23, 2025, at 8:21 a.m. Pacific Time from the Mojave Desert test range,
located between Edwards Air Force Base and NAWCWD China Lake in California. The rocket reached
an altitude of more than 45,000 feet and achieved record-setting flight duration and range for Pluto
Aerospace. The test program evaluated hypersonic performance and thermal resistivity, with nozzle
temperatures exceeding 3,000°C. The rocket was built entirely with North American-sourced materials
and components. Representatives from Pluto, AETC, Focus, ACP-T, and the United States government
were in attendance for the launch. The launch marks the Company's first real-world, high-fidelity
aerospace and defense application test and follows months of extensive process optimizations which
led to this historic flight.
Data collected from the launch will further validate the performance characteristics of Lac Knife graphite
in high-temperature and high-stress hypersonic environments relevant to surface-to-air defense systems,
and commercial rocketry alike. Focus anticipates continued participation in upcoming launches,
including trials involving graphene-based coatings produced from Lac Knife graphite, designed for
icephobic and radar-suppression applications on rocket fins. These developments are also transferable
to unmanned air vehicle (UAV) drone technology, a growing area of interest for the Company.
"This is a landmark moment for Focus Graphite, and we are proud to see Lac Knife material play a role
in such an important aerospace demonstration," said Jason Latkowcer, Vice President, Corporate
Development. "We thank our partners at AETC and Pluto Aerospace for including us in this historic test.
The results reaffirm that Lac Knife large and jumbo flake graphite possesses the qualities required for
advanced, high-performance applications in defense and aerospace. With governments around the
world increasing investments in national security - such as through NATO commitments and initiatives
like the Golden Dome - Focus is positioning itself to play a critical role in supplying North American-
sourced graphite for these strategic needs."
This latest flight aligns with Pluto Aerospace's broader mission to make high-speed, hypersonic testing
more accessible to small businesses and start-ups - a key advantage highlighted in recent coverage by
the Purdue Research Foundation. The Dash platform provides rapid, cost-effective access to hypersonic
test environments that typically require substantial budgets and lengthy pre-qualification timelines.
As the demand for domestic manufacturing of advanced materials continues to grow, Focus Graphite
remains committed to supporting onshoring initiatives and strengthening critical mineral supply chains
essential to national security.
Image 1: Pluto Aerospace's Dash 1 Flight 003 solid-fuel rocket featuring AETC's graphite nozzle
manufactured with Lac Knife graphite.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1963/263912_85b592feb494f88b_001full.jpg
Image 2: Launch of Pluto Aerospace's Dash 1 Flight 003 solid-fuel rocket on August 23, 2025.
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1963/263912_85b592feb494f88b_002full.jpg
About Pluto Aerospace
Pluto is an Indiana based start-up building the fastest path from lab bench to hypersonic flight. Our test
vehicles are designed for flexibility and affordability, enabling researchers, developers, and mission
designers to rapidly iterate and make a make a meaningful impact on national security.
For more information, please visit
https://www.plutoaerospace.com
.
About Purdue Strategic Ventures
Purdue Strategic Ventures provides strategic support, early-stage investment and community activation
for Purdue-connected, venture-scale start-ups with strong growth potential across agricultural, deep tech,
digital tech, mobility and life sciences. Within the Purdue Research Foundation, Strategic Ventures
unlocks opportunities for last start-up growth, transforming potential into performance for portfolio
companies. Strategic Ventures is the nexus between entrepreneurial talent and strategic capital, driving
Boilermaker innovations and investment success.
For more information, please visit
https://www.strategicventures.prf.org
.
About American Energy Technologies Company
American Energy Technologies Co. (AETC) is a woman-owned, privately held business which conducts
operations out of the greater Chicago area. In its Wheeling, IL facility
(https://www.usaenergytech.com/post/grand-opening-of-critical-minerals-processing-facility-supporting-
us-energy-transition-in-chicagolan) AETC operates three business units: a manufacturing plant making
battery-ready graphite and carbon materials, a pilot demonstration facility for battery materials and
graphite dispersions, and a fully-functional applications laboratory supporting the above business units.
Currently, AETC is one out of just three in total organizations which commercially manufacture lithium-ion
battery-ready graphite in the United States. Furthermore, AETC's Wheeling, IL plant is currently the only
industrial end-to-end commercial manufacturer of spherical purified surface coated natural graphite in
the US. In doing so, the company develops and operates an upstream ore beneficiation, unique refining,
particle spheroidization, and carbon coating technologies. AETC is both developing and produces
spherical graphite (natural and synthetic), expanded graphite, partially graphitized nanostructured
carbons, ultra-high purity graphite-based electrically conductive inks, paints, and coatings which find use
within the industry. AETC is a proud supply chain member of electric vehicles and an approved supplier
to twelve battery manufacturers and one fuel cell producer.
For more information, please visit
https://www.usaenergytech.com
About ACP Technologies
ACP Technologies is a company focused on developing a domestic source of affordable, carbon-based
materials. Our products are used to produce several strategic materials such as carbon fiber, synthetic
graphite, carbon-carbon composites and more. ACPT provides manufacturers with low-cost alternatives
to raw materials traditionally sourced almost exclusively from other countries.
For more information, please visit
https://acp-technologies.net
.
About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc.
Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned
world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands
as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed
feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced
materials industries.
Our Lac Tétépisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and
highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining - we are
pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies,
including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery
performance and efficiency.
Our commitment to innovation ensures a chemical-free, eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market.
Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions,
and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As
a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical
minerals - reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable
future.
For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit
http://www.focusgraphite.com
Investors Contact:
Dean Hanisch
CEO, Focus Graphite Inc.
+1 (613) 612-6060
Jason Latkowcer
VP Corporate Development
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These
statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could," "intend,"
"expect," "believe," "will," "projected," "estimated," and similar expressions, as well as statements
relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and
are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such
future events.
In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other matters:
the potential performance and suitability of Lac Knife graphite for aerospace and defense
applications; the anticipated benefits of the Company's collaboration with Pluto Aerospace and AETC;
the expected use of data collected from the launch to validate Lac Knife graphite in high-temperature,
high-stress environments; the Company's intention to participate in additional rocket launches and
related testing programs, including applications involving graphene-based coatings; and Focus
Graphite's positioning as a potential supplier of critical graphite materials to defense, aerospace, and
drone markets in North America and internationally.
Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors
that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks
related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to
raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral
exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public
disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.
The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the
Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of
new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because
of the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue
reliance on forward-looking information.
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or
accuracy of this release.
To view the source version of this press release, please visit
https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/263912