Navy issues production delivery order for Blackbeard hypersonic missile

The U.S. Navy has awarded a production contract to Castelion for Blackbeard, an air‑launched hypersonic strike weapon designed for carrier-based aircraft, marking one of the first successful rapid acquisition efforts under the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office. The deal, executed through the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation’s Future Capability Development and Integration Aviation Rapid Capabilities Cell via a public‑private partnership, is intended to accelerate delivery of long‑range, high‑speed strike options to the fleet.

Blackbeard is billed as a responsive, survivable munition for maritime and land targets that extends the reach of carrier aviation and increases magazine depth. The program is framed as supporting the National Defense Strategy’s push for a more resilient industrial base, aligning with the National Security Strategy’s emphasis on high‑speed deterrence in contested maritime regions, and backing a directive dubbed “Foundry Always” that calls for affordable munitions at scale.

Castelion will build, assemble, test and deliver the initial lot of Blackbeard All‑Up Rounds, with the Navy highlighting the use of commercial manufacturing techniques and a vertically integrated production line to introduce “affordable mass” under the service’s Hedge Strategy and the operational readiness goals of Commander, Naval Air Forces Vice Adm. Doug Verissimo.

“To win in contested environments, we must deliver lethality at scale inside the operational window of relevance,” said Vice Adm. John “Doc” Dougherty IV, commander PAE(A) and Naval Air Systems Command. “This production award is a testament to what is possible when the Navy aligns agile acquisition with commercial manufacturing discipline. We are putting game-changing hypersonic capability into the hands of our warfighters, dramatically expanding the lethal reach of naval aviation.”

According to the Navy, the award leverages acquisition reforms in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and uses authorities under the Small Business Innovation Development Act to move privately financed, proven technologies directly into production. The approach is intended to cut redundant non‑recurring engineering costs and inject more commercial competition into the munitions sector.

The service says Blackbeard’s integration plan relies on mission engineering and testing tools developed in Silicon Valley to meet flight‑clearance and safety standards, enabling rapid fielding once deliveries begin.

Financial terms, delivery timelines, and specific carrier aircraft slated to employ Blackbeard were not disclosed.