US Navy Awards $200 Million for Blackbeard Hypersonic
The US Navy has awarded startup Castelion a $200 million contract to produce its Blackbeard hypersonic missile, a low-cost weapon intended for
The US Navy has awarded defense startup Castelion a $200 million contract for production of the Blackbeard hypersonic missile. The service announced the deal on Tuesday, championing it as an early success for its Rapid Capabilities Office.
According to the Navy, the office has adapted its acquisition structure to meet warfighter needs faster. The contract leverages a 2026 defense policy act to transition privately developed technology directly into production. This approach aims to cut millions in engineering costs and introduce commercial competition into munitions manufacturing.
Weapon Capabilities and Role
Blackbeard is described as an air-launched, hypersonic strike weapon. It is designed to provide carrier-based fighters with a long-range, high-speed option against maritime and land targets. The Navy states the weapon enhances survivability against advanced air defenses and increases magazine depth for the fleet.
Reports from Inside Defense indicate the missile is intended as a standoff weapon with a 200-nautical-mile range. It is designed to arm aircraft including the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet.
Filling a Post-HALO Gap
The Navy has long sought an air-launched hypersonic anti-surface missile. Since 2021, it pursued an air-breathing hypersonic cruise missile through the Hypersonic Air-Launched Offensive Anti-Surface Warfare (HALO) program. Major defense firms Raytheon and Lockheed Martin competed for that contract, with an initial goal to field the weapon before 2030.
However, the service scrapped the HALO program in 2024, citing budgetary constraints. Castelion is now offering a low-cost solution to fill this gap in the Navy's weapons systems.
Contract History and Funding
The $200 million award is the latest in a series of contracts for Castelion's system. The Navy's interest in the Blackbeard missile, also referred to under the Multimission Affordable Capacity Effector (MACE) program, has been building.
| Contract Date | Award Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| February 2026 | Nearly $50 million | Selection for MACE program |
| June 2026 | $23.4 million | Pre-production prototypes and storage containers |
| September 2026 | $200 million | Production contract |
The Navy's fiscal 2027 budget request also earmarked $156 million to procure 353 MACE missiles. With its emphasis on low cost and scalable production, Castelion's Blackbeard positions the Navy in the hypersonic missile landscape after the cancellation of the HALO program.
The Navy release notes the program leverages advanced commercial manufacturing and a vertically integrated production line. It aims to deliver immediate 'affordable mass' to the fleet.
