A defense startup has taken a major step in the global hypersonic arms race. Castelion announced it has won contracts to integrate its “Blackbeard” hypersonic strike weapon with current U.S. Army systems.
This integration is the first step toward deploying these powerful weapons. Hypersonic missiles are designed to be nearly unstoppable. The company will work with the Army to make Blackbeard compatible with existing platforms. A key system is the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).
HIMARS has gained widespread recognition for its use in the war in Ukraine. Integrating hypersonic weapons with such mobile launchers would significantly increase their strategic reach. The contracts also involve integration work with the U.S. Navy. The specific financial terms were not disclosed.
Today @CastelionCorp begins integration of Blackbeard with @USArmy and @USNavy platforms — a milestone for modern defense production. Thank you to our team and partners who made this possible.
Peace Through Deterrence.
Read more here: https://t.co/oM79Ti9pAW pic.twitter.com/70DFgfv7Nb
— Castelion (@CastelionCorp) October 24, 2025Castelion’s Blackbeard weapon is designed with cost and scale in mind. The company aims to produce thousands of these weapons each year.The target cost is in the hundreds of thousands of dollars per unit. This is a fraction of the cost of older, legacy missile systems.
This approach aligns with the Pentagon’s goal to field more affordable and numerous hypersonic strike capabilities. The United States is in a strategic competition to develop advanced hypersonic weapons. China and Russia also have active and competitive hypersonic programs.
Read: Türkiye Unveils First Hypersonic Ballistic Missile Tayfun Block 4
These weapons travel at more than five times the speed of sound. Their ability to maneuver at such high speeds makes them extremely difficult for traditional defenses to intercept.
The contracts mark a significant move by the U.S. military to broaden its options in this critical area of modern warfare.
