Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic strike missile has been test-loaded onto an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, according to the Navy.

The Navy plans to make the lower‑cost missile available for limited early entry into operational service no later than August 2028.

The missile is part of the Navy’s Multi‑mission Affordable Capacity Effector (MACE) program, which was highlighted at the Tailhook Association’s annual convention where images of the missile mounted under the Super Hornet’s right wing were shown.

A $105 million contract awarded in April tasked Castelion with completing hardware and software integration of Blackbeard onto the F/A‑18E/F airframe. A subsequent nearly $90 million contract announced in May will support further integration work through August 2028, with a goal of delivering at least 50 missiles by that date. The Pentagon has outlined plans to purchase 12,000 Blackbeard missiles over the next three years, though it is unclear whether the orders include air‑launched, surface‑launched, or mixed variants. Castelion’s press releases indicate the weapon is intended to extend the range of carrier‑based aircraft and provide a more survivable, faster‑response strike capability against time‑sensitive targets. The missile is designed with a two‑stage configuration that uses a booster to accelerate a hypersonic glide vehicle, potentially reaching speeds above Mach 5. Its nose features apertures that may house an imaging infrared seeker, a passive sensor that does not emit signals. Exact guidance methods and performance figures have not been disclosed.

If the schedule holds, the Navy will field its first operational air‑launched hypersonic weapon within the next two years.