3,800-mph hypersonic Blackbeard missile tested by US Navy aboard fighter jet

The US Navy has completed a flight test of Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic strike missile aboard an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, marking a step toward a long-range weapon for carrier-based fighters. The test took place at Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.

The aircraft carried two Blackbeard test articles during the flight. Neither was released or live-fired. Both returned safely with the Super Hornet to the airfield.

The Navy called the flight a developmental milestone as Blackbeard moves toward Early Operational Capability (EOC). Further testing will precede future live-fire events.

Testing a new carrier-based weapon

Blackbeard is being developed to give carrier-based strike fighters a high-speed weapon for operations in heavily defended environments. The missile is intended for missions where aircraft may face anti-access and area-denial systems. It is designed to travel faster than Mach 5, reaching speeds of over 3,800 mph (about 6,175 km/h).

The Navy also wants the weapon to increase the number of missiles available across a theater. Its development focuses on a lower-cost design that could be produced in large quantities.

“This flight of Blackbeard is another significant milestone as we progress toward EOC, providing a critical capability pathway for theater deterrence,” said Vice Adm. John “Doc” Dougherty IV, commander of the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation and Naval Air Systems Command.

“It demonstrates the effectiveness of acquisition policy reform in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act and the speed and agility of the Department of Defense’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy.”

Coming soon to a theater near you…BLACKBEARD @CENTCOM @PAEAviation pic.twitter.com/KgBtIqdf8I

— NAVAIR (@NAVAIRNews) September 25, 2026

Industry partnership speeds development

Castelion is developing Blackbeard through a partnership led by the Future Capability Development and Integration Aviation Rapid Capabilities Cell within the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation.

The effort also includes the Naval Air Warfare Centers and the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office. The program builds on Small Business Innovation Research initiatives and uses private venture capital during early development.

According to the Navy, this approach can help nontraditional defense companies move technologies from research and development toward procurement. It also helps absorb some early financial risks.

Focus on production at scale

The Navy describes Blackbeard as a highly maneuverable hypersonic weapon designed to meet an operational requirement while costing less than some existing high-end systems.

Its manufacturing strategy is focused on future large-scale production. The approach could support faster delivery if the missile advances into broader procurement.

The program is also part of the Navy’s Hedge Strategy, which calls for weapons that can be produced rapidly and in larger numbers. The service linked the effort to the 2026 National Defense Strategy’s focus on industrial capacity and readiness.

Development continues

Blackbeard will undergo additional developmental flight testing at Patuxent River. These trials will generate data needed to advance the program toward live-fire milestones.

The latest flight focused on carrying the test articles without releasing them. The Navy has not provided a date for the first live-fire event.

The planned testing will support Blackbeard’s progression toward Early Operational Capability and help determine its readiness for later stages of the program.