# Castelion Blackbeard hypersonic missile development

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/castelion-blackbeard-hypersonic-missile-development
> Updated: 2026-09-18T16:44:00.000Z. Sources: 17. Developments: 3.

Defense startup Castelion has moved toward scaling the production and testing of its Blackbeard hypersonic strike missile. In August 2026, the company secured $1.05 billion in Series C financing to expand its manufacturing capabilities at the Project Ranger facility in New Mexico. This funding aims to support the mass production of low-cost hypersonic weapons to address U.S. defense gaps.

By September 2026, the U.S. Navy advanced the program by conducting tests of the Blackbeard missile using F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fighter jets. The missile is designed for both air-launch and ground-launch configurations, including compatibility with HIMARS. Through a contract valued at up to $200 million, the Navy seeks to increase magazine depth for carrier strike groups, with a production goal of 50 missiles by August 2028 and early operational capability targeted for 2027.

In mid-September 2026, the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory increased its funding for Castelion by $16.4 million, bringing the total value of that specific agreement to $37.2 million. Founded in 2022 by former SpaceX engineers, the Torrance, California-based company intends to utilize industrial-scale, commercial-style manufacturing for the Blackbeard missile, which is designed to maneuver at speeds exceeding Mach 5. This contract is scheduled to continue through June 30, 2028.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-18: Castelion receives increased funding for Blackbeard hypersonic missile

The U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory increased funding for Castelion's ‘Blackbeard’ hypersonic missile project to $37.2 million, focusing on large-scale industrial production.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/castelion-receives-increased-funding-for-blackbeard-hypersonic-missile

### 2026-09-13: US Navy tests Castelion Blackbeard hypersonic missile on F/A-18 Super Hornets

The US Navy is testing Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic missile on F/A-18 Super Hornets, aiming for affordable, mass-produced long-range strike capabilities by 2027.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-navy-tests-blackbeard-hypersonic-missile-on-fa-18-super-hornet

### 2026-08-19: Castelion raises $1 billion to scale hypersonic missile production

Defense startup Castelion raised $1 billion in Series C funding at a $13 billion valuation to mass-produce its Blackbeard hypersonic missile and expand its weapons portfolio.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/castelion-raises-1-billion-to-scale-hypersonic-missile-production

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Cite as: Castelion Blackbeard hypersonic missile development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/castelion-blackbeard-hypersonic-missile-development