PORTFOLIO ACQUISTION EXECUTIVE AVIATION, PATUXENT RIVER, Md. – Blackbeard, an air-launched, long-range hypersonic strike missile, successfully completed another milestone recently, with a flight test on an F/A-18E/F Super Hornet at Naval Air Station (NAS) Patuxent River, Maryland. This represents a key developmental test step in the program's progression to Early Operational Capability (EOC).

Developed by Castelion and led by the Portfolio Acquisition Executive Aviation (PAE(A)) through its Future Capability Development and Integration (FCD&I) Aviation Rapid Capabilities Cell, in coordination with the Naval Air Warfare Centers and the DON Rapid Capabilities Office, Blackbeard will provide carrier-based strike fighters with a responsive, high-speed strike option to pierce contested anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) envelopes while significantly expanding theater magazine depth. The mission was a developmental test flight; no weapons were released or live-fired, and the aircraft and the two test articles returned safely to the airfield.

"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 PAE(A) 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 War’s Acquisition Transformation Strategy. The FCD&I Aviation Rapid Capabilities Cell and our industry partner, Castelion, have bypassed legacy administrative constraints, moving at a record pace to prove that public-private partnerships can transition advanced, dual-use commercial technologies to secure a persistent industrial and operational advantage."

Built on Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) initiatives, this private-public partnership leverages private venture capital to absorb early R&D risk, effectively bridging the procurement "valley of death" for non-traditional defense firms. Engineered as a highly maneuverable, low-cost hypersonic option, Blackbeard addresses the Combatant Commander’s Key Operational Problem (KOP) by preparing "affordable mass" for accelerated production at scale.

This flight test directly supports the 2026 National Defense Strategy (NDS) mandate to supercharge the U.S. Defense Industrial Base and deter adversaries through robust readiness. By scaling agile, high-volume production models, the program aligns with the DON’s Hedge Strategy to develop cost-effective, rapidly fieldable kinetic mass. Blackbeard will continue developmental flight testing at NAS Patuxent River as it progresses toward future live-fire milestones.

For further information regarding Blackbeard or PAE(A) rapid transition initiatives, contact the PAE(A) Public Affairs Office.

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