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Blackbeard (air-launched; Navy MACE)
United States · Early production / EOC · 
Credit: Castelion · Source
Summary
Low-cost mass-producible hypersonic strike weapon; first US hypersonic designed from inception for industrial-rate output (company).
Identity
Status
Early production / EOC
Category
Defense
Indicative price
Undisclosed
Type
Hypersonic strike missile
Function
Hypersonic strike missile
Audience
Defense
Other
RANGE
Undisclosed (company hint just under 500 miles air-launch; LRASM range class >200 nmi per Naval News)
WARHEAD
Undisclosed officially; ~95 lb / 43 kg reported
UNIT COST
Undisclosed officially; ~$0.5M target claimed
LAUNCH PLATFORMS
F/A-18E/F, F-35C (planned); up to 4 internal on F-35C claimed in press
Photos
Comparable systems — same status tier
Other systems from Castelion
Resources
Source: https://www.castelion.com/
Source: https://www.castelion.com/news/blackbeard-200-million-production-order-us-navy/
Source: https://news.usni.org/2026/09/16/navy-awards-200m-for-blackbeard-hypersonic-missile-for-carrier-fighters