In a significant shift toward expanding its tactical strike capabilities, the U.S. Army is moving to integrate the newly developed Blackbeard Ground Launch (GL) hypersonic missile system into its widely used HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System). Under the FY2026 defense budget, $25 million has been earmarked for Project HX3, marking the transition of Blackbeard GL into the Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase.
This funding will cover key steps like software validation, flight trials, and full integration of the All-Up Round and Canister (AUR+C) into current launch systems. Unlike the larger Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), the Blackbeard GL is tailored for more agile, cost-efficient operations that require high-speed, mid-range precision against mobile or hardened targets.
The missile is designed not as a replacement, but as a complement to systems like the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) Increment 4. By delivering around 80% of PrSM-4’s capability on a faster, more affordable development timeline, Blackbeard GL offers a stopgap solution for HIMARS and the MLRS munitions family. Its terminal seeker guidance improves targeting in challenging battlefield conditions, giving commanders a flexible option for high-threat environments.
The system stands out due to its ability to fit into modified MFOM (Multiple Launch Rocket System Family of Munitions) pods, ensuring compatibility with HIMARS without requiring major hardware changes. This design feature simplifies field integration and enables the use of Blackbeard GL alongside GMLRS, ATACMS, and other munitions already in the Army’s inventory.
Castelion Corporation, the defense startup behind Blackbeard GL, was established in 2022 and has quickly emerged as a key player in hypersonic weapons development. Backed by over $100 million in private funding and $22 million in government contracts, Castelion’s agile, vertically integrated approach allows for rapid prototyping and streamlined production. The Army sees this as a testbed for more responsive acquisition strategies, especially in the face of rising threats from peer competitors.
While HIMARS will serve as Blackbeard GL’s primary launch platform in the near term, the missile is also designated for use in the upcoming Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher (CAML). Still in development, CAML will feature autonomous, optionally manned capabilities and is being built in both heavy and medium variants based on M1075 and FMTV chassis. The goal is to support a diverse arsenal—including PrSM, PAC-3, Tomahawk, and Blackbeard GL—within a unified and scalable system.
Importantly, Blackbeard GL is seen as a complementary piece in the Army’s layered fires strategy. Unlike LRHW’s strategic, long-range strikes, Blackbeard GL offers more frequent and responsive battlefield deployment. Its reduced size, lower cost, and compatibility with existing infrastructure make it ideal for dispersed operations and mobile warfare—particularly where full-scale hypersonic power isn’t required.
A flight test using a fixed-fin prototype adapted from an air-launched version is planned for early 2026. A ground-launched demonstration and a dedicated MFOM pod are scheduled to follow in 2027, with the first operational units expected by 2028. This roadmap positions Blackbeard GL to enter service before PrSM Increment 4, while overlapping with ongoing LRHW deployment and CAML fielding.
Ultimately, the U.S. Army aims to fill a tactical gap in its hypersonic portfolio: a weapon that delivers speed, accuracy, and survivability—without the strategic complexity or cost of larger systems. Through smart integration into existing platforms like HIMARS and forward-looking compatibility with CAML, Blackbeard GL represents a next-gen solution for the evolving demands of modern warfare.
