WASHINGTON — Defense startup Castelion has announced it has secured multiple awards for its hypersonic Blackbeard weapon system, which is set to be integrated into Army and Navy platforms. This milestone marks Castelion’s first operational contracts in platform integration.
“The selection for these integration contracts underscores the importance of affordability and speed in modern deterrence strategies,” stated Castelion CEO Bryon Hargis. “By focusing on manufacturability and rapid iteration, Castelion can help the Department of Defense transition from concept to operational capability more swiftly.”
While specific Army platforms for the Blackbeard system remain undisclosed, fiscal 2026 budget documents—pending Congressional approval—indicate that the Army is working on a future variant of its Precision Strike Missile (PrSM). Referred to as the HX3, this new variant aims to potentially double the range of the existing PrSM 1 at a more economical price point. The documents reveal that the Army plans to utilize Castelion’s hypersonic Blackbeard missile to engage “time-sensitive moving and hardened targets” more cost-effectively.
According to the budget papers, Blackbeard GL (Ground Launch) is intended to provide around 80% of the capabilities of the upcoming PrSM Increment 4 at a significantly lower price; however, it will not achieve the same velocities or ranges as the Long Range Hypersonic Weapons (LRHW).
While further details concerning potential Navy platform integrations have not been released, Castelion previously won a contract from the Office of Naval Research to conduct initial studies on an air-launched anti-surface weapon, indicating a broader interest in enhancing naval capabilities with hypersonic technology.
Both the U.S. and China have heavily invested in hypersonic technology amid ongoing competition to establish significant advantages in advanced military capabilities. Last month, China showcased its YJ-17, YJ-19, and YJ-20 hypersonic missiles during a military parade, further highlighting the global stakes involved.
In 2023, the Army awarded contracts to teams from Lockheed Martin and Raytheon Technologies-Northrop Grumman for competing designs on the PrSM Increment 4. The Army is also exploring the development of a PrSM Increment 5, which may include the HX3/Blackbeard missile launched from an autonomous platform.
The requirement for the Blackbeard system was formally approved in May 2025, allowing the Army’s Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office to advance the new Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML) initiative, which may replace existing systems like the HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System).
The Army’s fiscal 2026 budget allocates $25 million for Blackbeard’s development, outlining a two-phase approach. The first phase aims to produce a prototype proof-of-concept for demonstration between January and March 2026. Success in this demonstration could lead to the delivery of 10 initial prototypes for flight testing with the M142 HIMARS by the end of FY26.
“Blackbeard represents our first long-range hypersonic strike weapon designed for mass production and rapid deployment following successful integration and testing,” the company emphasized in its release. “This innovative system utilizes vertically integrated propulsion and guidance components, achieving superior performance at a fraction of the cost of traditional weapons, ultimately aligning with the Department of Defense’s goal of building effective, non-nuclear deterrent capabilities at scale.”