In a significant advancement for next-generation military technology, the US Navy has awarded Castellion, a defense technology startup, a contract valued at $23.4 million for the delivery of 50 early operational capability pre-production Blackbeard hypersonic missiles. This contract represents a pivotal moment in the transition of the Blackbeard missile from its developmental stage to operationally relevant production.
The funding will aid in the further development of Castellion’s cost-effective, easily manufacturable long-range hypersonic strike weapon, while simultaneously enhancing production capabilities at the company’s Project Ranger manufacturing facility in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. Work on this initiative will primarily take place at the Rio Rancho campus, with additional activities also occurring in Torrance, California. The completion of the contract is anticipated in 2027.
Bryon Hargis, Co-Founder and CEO of Castellion, expressed enthusiasm about the award, noting that the Blackbeard was designed specifically with the intent to bolster the nation’s conventional deterrence capabilities. He stated, “This award reflects the Navy’s continued commitment to rapidly advancing affordable, manufacturable long-range strike capability and moving Blackbeard toward early operational use.”
The current award is part of a series of contracts that Castellion has secured which underline the accelerating pace of the Blackbeard program. Earlier in February, the startup received nearly $50 million to expedite the development and prototype production of the multi-platform hypersonic weapon. Moreover, in April, Castellion secured another significant contract worth $107 million aimed at integrating the Blackbeard with the F/A-18 aircraft.
Additionally, Castellion has partnered with Saronic to incorporate the Blackbeard missile into the Marauder unmanned surface vessel (USV) for a demonstration planned for 2027. This integration could potentially represent a groundbreaking achievement as the first launch of a hypersonic weapon from a USV.
Highlighting its commitment to innovation, Castellion has invested over $250 million into Project Ranger, a sprawling 1,000-acre manufacturing campus in New Mexico that is specifically designed for large-scale hypersonic missile production. This investment emphasizes the company’s dedication to delivering advanced military capabilities to meet the evolving needs of the U.S. armed forces.
