6K Energy has signed a seven-year agreement with CRG Defense to provide domestic battery supply chain support for U.S. defense systems. Under the agreement, 6K Energy will supply CRG Defense with single-crystal NMC811 cathode material produced at its Massachusetts plant. New capacity is planned by the end of 2026, with the PlusCAM facility in Tennessee expected to begin production in early 2028 to meet growing demand. The agreement includes quarterly procurement schedules to ensure stable supply for critical defense programs. This move directly responds to the FCC’s December 2025 ban on key foreign drone components and Section 842 of the FY 2026 NDAA, which prohibits the Department of Defense from sourcing batteries from foreign entities. Both companies emphasize that the partnership aims to reduce reliance on foreign supply chains, rebuild U.S. battery material production capabilities, and send demand signals for other domestic suppliers to scale up. For the metal powder industry, this agreement drives localization of high-performance cathode materials, strengthens applications of 3D printing and advanced manufacturing in defense drones and beyond, and accelerates the self-sufficiency of the U.S. battery ecosystem.