US Navy tests Blackbeard hypersonic missile integration with F/A-18

The US Navy has released new operational images of a Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet carrying the Blackbeard, a new long-range hypersonic strike missile. The flight test took place at Patuxent River Naval Air Station in Maryland to evaluate the integration of the weapon system with the aircraft.

Developed by Castelion, the Blackbeard is designed to fly at speeds exceeding Mach 5. It is intended to provide carrier-based fighters with the capability to penetrate integrated air defenses and area denial environments, targeting both maritime and land-based objectives. During this specific test, no missiles were actually launched; instead, the flight focused on assessing aircraft behavior, load, vibrations, and the physical compatibility of the missiles with the wing pylons.

Castelion received $105 million in April to complete the integration and certification required for carrier operations. The program aims to achieve Initial Operational Capability (EOC) by 2027 or 2028. The development utilizes a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) approach, leveraging private capital to accelerate research and development timelines.