The United States Navy has contracted Castelion with a $105 million deal to continue integrating its Blackbeard hypersonic missile onto the F/A-18 platform, supporting efforts to arm carrier-based fleets with affordable, long-range strike weapons for future combat scenarios.
As part of the contract, Castelion will conduct certification, safety validation, and flight testing, alongside integration work specific to naval aviation, with the goal of achieving Early Operational Capability by 2027. The Blackbeard system is being developed as a high-speed, long-range hypersonic weapon capable of penetrating modern air defenses with improved survivability and rapid response.
Earlier in February, a separate $50 million contract was issued to accelerate development and prototype production, with timelines extending to November 2027.
The missile is reportedly part of the Navy’s Multi-Mission Affordable Capacity Effector (MACE) program, which plans to acquire around 4,500 hypersonic missiles over the next five years. Procurement is expected to start with 353 units in FY2027, increasing steadily in the following years.
MACE seeks to provide a cost-effective alternative to expensive systems like the AGM-158C LRASM, priced above $3 million per missile. Blackbeard, at an estimated $300,000 per unit, offers a scalable and flexible option for large-scale deployment.
In addition to F/A-18 integration, the missile is being configured for internal carriage on F-35A and F-35C aircraft, supporting up to four missiles per platform. It is expected to include a 75-pound warhead, advanced targeting for moving threats, and an annual production capacity of at least 500 units.
