Contract Awards
04/24/2026
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Castelion Awarded $105M U.S. Navy Contract to Field Blackbeard on the F/A-18 Super Hornet in 2027
Today, Castelion announced that it was awarded a $105M contract by the U.S. Navy to continue efforts to integrate its Blackbeard hypersonic strike weapon onto the F/A-18 and transition the system to an Early Operational Capability in 2027. Under this award, Castelion will conduct extensive system safety and certification testing, flight testing, and other integration activities related to carrier-based operations.
TORRANCE, Calif. — APRIL 24, 2026 — Today, Castelion announced that it was awarded a $105M contract by the U.S. Navy to continue efforts to integrate its Blackbeard hypersonic strike weapon onto the F/A-18 and transition the system to an Early Operational Capability in 2027. Under this award, Castelion will conduct extensive system safety and certification testing, flight testing, and other integration activities related to carrier-based operations.
“The U.S. Navy’s commitment to fielding affordable, innovative hypersonic capability reflects the kind of leadership this moment demands and clear determination to move fast for the warfighter,” said Bryon Hargis, CEO and Co-Founder of Castelion. “We’re grateful for the continued trust in Blackbeard and in our team.”
This contract funds sequenced milestones that enable the path to early operational capability in the carrier air wing:
- F/A-18 Integration. Completing the hardware and software integration of Blackbeard onto the F/A-18E/F airframe.
- System Safety Testing and Certification. Executing the full system safety and airworthiness certification process required for naval aviation. This rigorous, non-negotiable process certifies a weapon for safe storage, loading, and carriage from an aircraft carrier at sea.
This contract follows a $49.9 million U.S. Navy contract awarded in February 2026 to advance Blackbeard from prototype to production demonstrating a sustained commitment from the Navy to accelerate Blackbeard’s path to the fleet.
About Castelion
Castelion builds American hypersonic deterrence through rapid, affordable, and scalable production of advanced strike weapons. Blackbeard is the first U.S. hypersonic system engineered from inception for industrial-rate output, commercial unit cost, and continuous flight test iteration. The company operates from Torrance, California, with manufacturing in New Mexico and Texas and a Washington, D.C. office. For more information on Castelion, please visit www.castelion.com.
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