HPQ Silicon’s Radio Battery Breakthrough: A New Milestone for Military Power
HPQ Silicon’s partner Novacium has developed prototype batteries with the French Army’s Technical Section (STAT), targeting a significant capacity increase for military tactical radios.
According to management, the prototypes deliver approximately 23% more capacity than the reference battery, using Novacium’s silicon-enhanced anode technology. The significance is that the previous supplier had indicated STAT’s performance target was not achievable within the existing system constraints.
HPQ holds a 36.8% equity interest in Novacium and exclusive North American commercialization rights to its silicon-based anode technology.
23% More Capacity: Management reports approximately 23% higher capacity versus the reference battery, targeting reduced battery weight carried by soldiers.
French Army Evaluation: The collaboration with STAT began in January 2025 under a formal agreement. Initial prototypes have already been delivered for evaluation.
NATO Pathway: According to management, the battery format is one design iteration away from NATO-standard compatibility, potentially providing a technical reference for future NATO-related discussions.
Next Step: Phase-one field testing is expected next. Successful evaluation could lead to further prototype development and, subject to military procurement processes, potential orders.
Military batteries create a simple problem: more batteries mean more weight carried by soldiers and less capacity for other mission-critical equipment.
Novacium is targeting higher capacity within the existing battery form factor and charging infrastructure, rather than requiring an entirely new system.
According to management, the incumbent supplier had indicated STAT’s desired performance could not be achieved within those constraints. Novacium has now produced prototypes targeting that requirement with approximately 23% greater capacity than the reference battery.
The potential opportunity extends beyond France. Management says the design is close to NATO-standard compatibility, which could provide Novacium with a technical reference when pursuing discussions with other NATO-affiliated stakeholders.
The program also supports a broader strategy around sovereign battery manufacturing, with potential production pathways in France, Canada or the United States.
“The fact that we've gotten this contract with STAT for prototype radio batteries is a heck of a third-party validation on Novacium's expertise to make the lithium-ion silicon-based batteries that militaries are looking for. The legacy supplier said it was impossible. We did it at the prototype stage.”
This remains a prototype and evaluation program, not a procurement contract.
However, Novacium has moved beyond laboratory testing by designing and delivering military radio battery prototypes for evaluation by the French Army’s Technical Section.
For HPQ, its 36.8% ownership in Novacium and exclusive North American commercialization rights provide exposure to that progress.
The next milestone is field validation. If the batteries demonstrate the expected performance under military operating conditions, the program could advance toward additional development and potential procurement discussions.
The question is now whether Novacium can turn its approximately 23% targeted capacity advantage into successful field validation, customer adoption and eventually scalable production.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOWSTRATEGIC IMPLICATIONSCEO BERNARD TOURILLONINVESTOR TAKEAWAY
