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Castelion Blackbeard hypersonic missile development

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2026-09-14 23:13 UTC → 2026-09-19 07:51 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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.

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