Novacium Delivers First Batch of Prototype Batteries to STAT with Twice the Energy Capacity of Batteries Currently in Service
Operational evaluation will guide adjustments before a second prototype batch closer to a production configuration.
Sentiment and the balance of points
Rhea-AI Sentiment reads the wording of the document, how positive or negative its language is on a 1 to 5 scale. The balance of points shown with the takes weighs what the document actually discloses, so the two can disagree, for example when a trial that missed its main goal is described in upbeat language.
Rhea-AI Summary
HPQ Silicon (HPQFF) announced that partner Novacium delivered its first prototype tactical-radio batteries to the French Army Technical Section in Q3 2026. The delivery follows STAT's June 2026 contract for development and supply in successive batches. HPQ holds a 36.8% interest in Novacium.
The batteries provide 144 Wh of energy capacity versus 72 Wh for those in service, while retaining existing connectors and chargers. A patent application covers the design. Novacium intends the doubled capacity to provide up to twice the operating time under comparable usage; STAT will evaluate actual performance under operational conditions.
Joint field feedback is expected in the coming weeks. Novacium plans a second batch using GEN4 cells after evaluation and design adjustments, aiming to increase energy capacity at the same mass and assess suitability for potential larger-scale deployment.
Positive
- Minor pointNovacium's first prototype battery batch reached STAT in Q3 2026, advancing the program in which HPQ participates.
- Minor pointSTAT's June 2026 contract covers development and supply of Novacium prototype batteries in successive batches.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Novacium plans a second batch with GEN4 cells, targeting greater energy capacity at the same mass.
- Minor pointNovacium's defence activities include a French Army drone battery-pack order through LN'INNOV, announced August 19, 2026.
- Minor pointNovacium's 100 drone battery-pack order from Alta Ares was announced September 17, 2026.
Negative
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.STAT's operational evaluation and joint feedback precede adjustments and production of Novacium's second batch.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.Novacium's intended up to twice the operating time under comparable usage awaits STAT's operational evaluation.
- Minor point. Forward-looking: it has not happened yet and may not happen.HPQ's proposed technical basis for offering batteries to other allied forces depends on evaluation confirming expected performance.
AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
- The first batch, delivered to STAT in the third quarter of 2026, integrates GEN3 21700 cylindrical cells in place of the 18650 cells currently in service
- With this first delivery, Novacium achieved two key project objectives:
- Doubling the energy capacity of the batteries
- Limiting geometric modifications to meet dimensional and connector requirements.
This delivery follows the award, at the end of June 2026, of a contract by STAT to develop and supply, in successive batches, these high-capacity prototype batteries.
Transition to 21700 Cells: Double the Capacity While Preserving Compatibility
To achieve this objective, Novacium integrated GEN3 21700 cylindrical cells in place of the previously used 18650 cells. This format offers higher capacity but integrating it required preserving compatibility with existing equipment. Through an optimized cell arrangement and adapted enclosure geometry, Novacium's teams limited dimensional changes to meet STAT's dimensional and connector requirements while doubling the battery's energy capacity. A patent application has been filed for this design.
Through the integration of these 21700 cells, the new battery pack reaches an onboard energy capacity of 144 Wh, twice the 72 Wh of the reference battery currently in service, and an energy density of 261 Wh/kg, compared with 160 Wh/kg for the existing solution, representing a
An adapted battery management system (BMS), combined with this patent-pending enclosure assembly system, makes the new battery fully compatible with existing connectors, chargers, and interfaces, with only minor changes to its dimensions and mass (42.6 × 98.63 × 74.35 mm; 551 g).
Under a comparable usage profile, this doubled energy capacity is intended to provide up to twice the operating time of the reference battery while retaining existing connectors and chargers. STAT will evaluate the operating time actually achieved under operational conditions.
An Evaluation Campaign and User Feedback Expected in the Coming Weeks
The first batch of prototype batteries delivered in the third quarter of 2026 will undergo an evaluation campaign under operational conditions conducted by STAT. At the end of this phase, detailed feedback (RETEX) will be prepared jointly by STAT and Novacium in the coming weeks. Lessons learned from this field evaluation will allow Novacium to make the necessary design, ergonomic, and parameter-setting adjustments before producing and delivering a second batch that better reflects a production configuration.
"Doubling the onboard energy of a tactical radio battery while retaining the existing connectors and chargers represented an engineering challenge that our teams successfully addressed. The transition to 21700 cells enabled us to double the battery's energy capacity, and we worked to limit geometric modifications to preserve compatibility with equipment currently in service. The delivery of this first batch for evaluation under operational conditions is a key milestone: user feedback will guide the adjustments to be made before production of the second batch," said Dr. Jed Kraiem, Ph.D., Chief Operating Officer of Novacium.
"The delivery of this first batch illustrates Novacium's ability to transform its anode-material expertise into batteries designed for critical applications," said Bernard Tourillon, President and CEO of HPQ Silicon Inc., which is itself President of Novacium. "If the evaluation phase confirms the expected performance, this program could provide a technical basis for offering the solution to other allied forces with comparable requirements. For HPQ, this program also illustrates the strategic value of our
Next Step: A Second Batch Representative of a Production Configuration
Following the evaluation campaign and RETEX, Novacium will begin production of a second batch of batteries incorporating lessons learned in the field and better representing a production configuration. This second batch will integrate Novacium's new GEN4 cells, with a capacity exceeding 6,500 mAh, with the objective of increasing the battery's energy capacity at the same mass and therefore its energy density and potential operating time. This stage aims to evaluate the solution's robustness, ergonomics, and reproducibility for potential larger-scale deployment.
This first delivery forms part of the expansion of Novacium's activities in the defence and autonomous-systems sectors, notably including the order for battery packs intended for French Army drones, announced on August 19, 2026 through LN'INNOV, and the order for 100 drone battery packs from Alta Ares announced on September 17, 2026.
About Novacium SAS
Novacium is a French deep-tech company based in Solaize, specializing in developing and producing silicon-based anode materials for lithium-ion batteries through a proprietary process. Novacium also designs custom battery cells and packs for demanding applications, particularly in the defence, aerospace and portable-energy sectors.
About HPQ Silicon
HPQ Silicon Inc. is a Quebec-based industrial issuer listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSX-V: HPQ), focused on innovation in advanced materials and the development of critical processes.
HPQ holds a strategic
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains forward-looking statements based on certain assumptions regarding technological performance, market demand, permits, financing, supply chains and economic conditions. These statements involve significant risks, including delays, regulatory issues, competition, the availability of financing and macroeconomic uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated. Detailed risk factors are presented in HPQ's annual information form available on SEDAR+.
Forward-looking statements are provided solely to outline management's future expectations and objectives. A more detailed cautionary note regarding forward-looking information related to the HPQ Endura+ battery project is available for download [here].
Additional information regarding the Company is available in the SEDAR+ database (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website at www.hpqsilicon.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
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SOURCE HPQ Silicon Inc.
FAQ
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What did HPQ Silicon's partner Novacium deliver to STAT?
Novacium delivered its first batch of prototype tactical-radio batteries to the French Army Technical Section in the third quarter of 2026. The batteries have 144 Wh of energy capacity, compared with 72 Wh for the reference battery currently in service.
What happens next in Novacium's STAT battery program?
STAT will evaluate the prototypes under operational conditions before Novacium produces a second batch incorporating field feedback. That batch will use GEN4 cells with capacity exceeding 6,500 mAh and will aim to evaluate robustness, ergonomics and reproducibility for potential larger-scale deployment.