Hypersonic Blackbeard by Castelion: US Navy Allocates $89.99 Million for Development

What We Know About the US Navy and Castelion Deal

According to НВ — Техно: The California defense startup Castelion will receive nearly $90 million from the US Navy to promote its hypersonic strike system Blackbeard. The fixed-price contract was signed on August 27; the agreement covers funding for 50 units of the Blackbeard system, publicly presented on August 20.

Under the agreement, Castelion will provide engineering, technical, logistical, and manufacturing support for the project. The completion of work is expected by August 2028. Assembly of the Blackbeard will be organized in Torrance, California. According to stated data, the system exceeds a speed of 5 Mach and is capable of hitting targets at a range of up to 500 nautical miles. Initially, the Navy explored the possibility of using Blackbeard for land scenarios, but now the scope of considered options has expanded to carrier-based aviation.

Where Blackbeard is Planned to be Integrated

Castelion also intends to adapt Blackbeard for F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighters. The startup aims to keep the missile cost below $500,000, although the payload of Blackbeard is less than that of larger hypersonic systems. At the same time, the new development is aimed at a significantly larger production volume compared to small-series analogs. It is important to emphasize that the allocation of funds for 50 units does not guarantee full-scale production of Blackbeard.

In June 2026, Saronic and Castelion announced plans to place hypersonic weapons on an uncrewed surface vessel for the first time. The maritime demonstration is scheduled for 2027 - the launch of Blackbeard is planned from the unmanned vessel Marauder, developed by Saronic.

This contract demonstrates the growing interest of the US in hypersonic technologies, which could significantly enhance military capabilities. The integration of the latest weapons into already operational systems, particularly the Super Hornet, indicates the military's intent to rapidly implement new developments and expand the Navy's capabilities.

The successful implementation of the Blackbeard project could become a significant milestone in the development of modern armaments and their application in combat conditions. For English-speaking audiences, it is important to note that hypersonic systems are currently at the center of the global defense agenda, and such agreements attract particular attention.

As the US Navy continues to explore advancements in hypersonic capabilities, the recent developments with the HADALUS underwater strike drone showcase innovative approaches to military technology. This emphasis on diverse platforms highlights the increasing importance of hypersonic systems and their potential impact on modern warfare.