In one of the first successful examples of rapid acquisition initiatives championed by the Department of the Navy Rapid Capabilities Office (DONRCO), Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation (PAE(A)), through its Future Capability Development and Integration (FCD&I) Aviation Rapid Capabilities Cell, executed the award through a private-public partnership. The contract is a prime example of how the Navy’s has adapted its acquisition structure to more rapidly meet the needs of the warfighter. Each PAE has an embedded Rapid Capability Cell (RCC), responsible for delivering scalable prototypes to advance warfighter capabilities.

Developed by industry partner Castelion, Blackbeard is an air-launched, hypersonic strike weapon that provides carrier-based strike fighters with a responsive, long-range, high-speed strike option against maritime and land targets, enhancing survivability against advanced air defenses while significantly increasing magazine depth. The award supports naval aviation’s response to the call in the National Defense Strategy mandate to build a resilient, competitive industrial base. It also satisfies the National Security Strategy priority for high-speed deterrence in contested maritime regions and addresses the Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle's "Foundry Always" directive for affordable munitions at scale.

Castelion will manufacture, assemble, test and deliver the initial lot of Blackbeard Hypersonic Weapon All-Up Rounds, providing naval aviation with an affordable, rapidly fieldable and highly survivable long-range strike capability. By leveraging advanced commercial manufacturing methods and a vertically integrated production line, this landmark program introduces immediate "affordable mass" to the fleet—a critical requirement under the Department of the Navy's Hedge Strategy and Commander, Naval Air Forces Vice Adm. Doug Verissimo’s (“Air Boss”) operational readiness goals.

“To win in contested environments, we must deliver lethality at scale inside the operational window of relevance,” said Vice Adm. John “Doc” Dougherty IV, commander PAE(A) and Naval Air Systems Command. “This production award is a testament to what is possible when the Navy aligns agile acquisition with commercial manufacturing discipline. We are putting game-changing hypersonic capability into the hands of our warfighters, dramatically expanding the lethal reach of naval aviation.”

This award leverages Congressional acquisition reform in the 2026 National Defense Authorization Act, using the Small Business Innovation Development Act to rapidly transition successful technology developed through private capital investment directly into production. This approach reduces millions of dollars in redundant, non-recurring engineering costs while introducing aggressive commercial competition into the munitions production ecosystem.

To ensure seamless integration and total mission assurance, the Blackbeard weapon system leverages mission engineering rigor and innovative testing software developed by Silicon Valley. This modern testing approach guarantees that the advanced tactical rounds meet the Navy’s rigorous flight clearance and safety standards, paving the way for rapid and reliable deployment.

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