U.S. Navy awards Castelion $200 million for low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile production
The U.S. Navy awarded defense startup Castelion a $200 million contract on September 17, 2026, for production of the low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile, deployable from carrier-based F-35 and F/A-18 fighters. The award funds additional missiles beyond 50 previously funded units, with $43 million allocated for 444 missiles. Castelion aims for per-unit cost around $500,000. The contract leverages the Small Business Innovation Development Act to rapidly transition private-capital-developed technology into production.
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US Navy awards defense startup Castelion $200 million for Blackbeard hypersonic missile
The U.S. Navy has awarded defense startup Castelion a $200 million contract for the production of its Blackbeard hypersonic missile, as announced on September 17, 2026. The Navy championed the contract as a successful example of the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office adapting its acquisition structure to rapidly meet warfighter needs. Blackbeard is described as an air-launched, hypersonic strike weapon providing carrier-based strike fighters with a long-range, high-speed option against maritime and land targets, enhancing survivability against advanced air defenses. According to Inside Defense, the missile has a 200-nautical-mile range and can arm F-35 and F/A-18 aircraft. The Navy had previously pursued the HALO hypersonic missile program with Raytheon and Lockheed Martin but scrapped it in 2024 due to budgetary constraints. Castelion is now offering a low-cost solution to fill this gap. The contract leverages the Small Business Innovation Development Act from the 2026 NDAA to rapidly transition private capital-developed technology into production, reducing redundant engineering costs and introducing commercial competition into the munitions ecosystem.
Read sourceUS Navy awards Castelion $200 million for Blackbeard hypersonic missile production
The U.S. Navy awarded defense startup Castelion a $200 million contract for the production of its Blackbeard hypersonic missile, as announced on September 17, 2026. The Navy championed the contract as a successful example of the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office adapting acquisition to rapidly meet warfighter needs, leveraging advanced commercial manufacturing and a vertically integrated production line to provide 'affordable mass.' Blackbeard is an air-launched, hypersonic strike weapon for carrier-based fighters like the F-35 and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, with a 200-nautical-mile range against maritime and land targets. This award follows the Navy's cancellation of the HALO hypersonic missile program in 2024 due to budgetary constraints. Castelion previously received nearly $50 million in February 2026 for the MACE program, with $156 million earmarked in the fiscal 2027 budget for 353 MACE missiles, and $23.4 million in June for pre-production prototypes. The contract uses the Small Business Innovation Development Act from the 2026 NDAA to transition private-capital-developed technology into production, reducing engineering costs and introducing competition.
Read sourceUS Navy Awards $200 Million for Low-Cost Blackbeard Hypersonic Missile Production
The U.S. Navy has awarded $200 million for the production of low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missiles, which will be deployed from carrier-based fighters. The award, announced Monday by the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation office and startup Castelion, funds additional missiles beyond the 50 early operational capability units previously funded in June. According to Defense Department contracts, $43 million of the total will go toward producing 444 Blackbeard missiles. Castelion aims to keep the cost of each missile around half a million dollars to achieve mass affordable production. The investment supports the Navy's effort to field a low-cost hypersonic weapon for carrier aviation.
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US Navy Awards $200 Million for Low-Cost Blackbeard Hypersonic Missile for Carrier Fighters
The U.S. Navy has awarded $200 million for the production of low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missiles, which will be deployed from the service's carrier-based fighter aircraft. The investment, announced on Monday by the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation office and missile start-up Castelion, will fund additional missiles beyond the 50 early operational capability units previously funded in June. According to Defense Department contracts, $43 million of the total will go toward the production of 444 Blackbeard missiles. Castelion aims to keep the per-unit cost around half a million dollars to enable mass affordable production. The award underscores the Navy's push to rapidly field a low-cost hypersonic capability for its carrier air wing.
U.S. Navy Awards $200 Million for Low-Cost Blackbeard Hypersonic Missile Production
The U.S. Navy has awarded $200 million for the production of low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missiles, which will be deployed from the service's carrier-based fighters. The Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation office and missile start-up Castelion announced the delivery order investment on Monday. The $200 million will support production of additional Blackbeard missiles beyond the 50 early operational capability missiles previously funded in June. According to Defense Department contracts, $43 million will go toward the production of 444 Blackbeard missiles. Castelion aims to keep the cost of each Blackbeard around half a million dollars to achieve mass affordable production. The award comes as part of the Navy's effort to field a low-cost hypersonic capability for its carrier air wing.