Hypersonic weapon startup Castelion wins $105 million Navy contract for F/A-18 integration

• The Navy plans to purchase 4,500 air-launched hypersonic missiles for F/A-18E/F jets over five years at approximately $384,000 per unit, emphasizing affordability through use of automotive-grade components instead of costly space-rated systems
• Castelion is privately funding a $250 million manufacturing campus (Project Ranger) in New Mexico capable of producing thousands of Blackbeard missiles annually, with full capacity expected by end of next year
• Blackbeard travels faster than five times the speed of sound and provides carrier-based strike capability against Chinese missile sites and warships that land-based weapons cannot easily reach

Summary: Castelion Wins $105M Navy Contract for Hypersonic Missile Integration

California-based defense startup Castelion has secured a $105 million U.S. Navy contract to integrate its Blackbeard hypersonic missile with F/A-18 carrier-based fighter jets. The weapon is designed to provide critical strike capability against Chinese targets, particularly in a Taiwan defense scenario.

Key Contract Details:

• $105 million award covers hardware/software integration, flight testing, and safety certification
• Weapons expected to be deployment-ready next year
• Contract represents final major hurdle before potential volume production orders

Strategic Significance:

The Blackbeard missile addresses a critical capability gap by enabling carrier-based launch, allowing strikes on Chinese missile sites and warships beyond the reach of land-based systems. Traveling faster than five times the speed of sound, the weapon aims to serve as a deterrent against Chinese military aggression.

Production and Affordability:

Castelion emphasizes cost-effectiveness through innovative engineering approaches, including using automotive-grade components rather than expensive space-rated alternatives. The company is privately funding "Project Ranger," a $250 million New Mexico manufacturing campus capable of producing thousands of missiles annually, with full capacity expected by end of 2025.

Pentagon Procurement Plans:

Navy budget documents reveal plans to purchase 4,500 air-launched hypersonic missiles for F/A-18E/F jets over five years, with an average unit cost of approximately $384,000—notably low for hypersonic weapons.

The contract award, posted Friday, positions Castelion as a key player in the U.S. hypersonic weapons program as the military expands capabilities to counter China's regional military ambitions.