6K Vitality and CRG Protection have entered a seven-year settlement to ascertain a home provide chain for cathode energetic supplies (CAM) powering protection battery programs. Below the deal, CRG Protection will supply single crystal NMC811 from 6K Vitality’s North Andover, Massachusetts facility, with extra capability coming on-line in late 2026.
When 6K Vitality’s PlusCAM™ facility in Jackson, Tennessee comes on-line in early 2028, it’ll develop into the first manufacturing supply. The Jackson facility makes use of 6K Vitality’s proprietary UniMelt platform—a microwave plasma-based course of for manufacturing superior supplies—to supply NMC811 and different high-nickel cathode chemistries. The settlement features a Quarterly Buy Plan to take care of constant provide for CRG Protection’s applications.
The timing is tied on to federal mandates. The FCC’s December 2025 ban on foreign-produced UAS important parts and Part 842 of the FY 2026 Nationwide Protection Authorization Act—which prohibits the Division of Protection from procuring batteries from overseas entities of concern—have created pressing demand for compliant home provide chains. CRG Protection manufactures battery cells and packs at U.S. services for drone platforms and different protection purposes.
“Rebuilding a resilient U.S. battery provide chain requires each early dedication and long-term partnerships,” mentioned Saurabh Ullal, President of 6K Vitality. “Our PlusCAM facility is designed to ship sustainable, battery-cathode materials at scale for probably the most demanding protection purposes.” Patrick Hood, CEO of CRG Protection, mentioned the deal means drone platforms “will now be powered by know-how that’s actually American made out of the chemistry up.”
Supply: 6K Vitality
