The $13 billion startup racing to close America’s hypersonic gap
Castelion is racing to give the U.S. the affordable hypersonic missile it doesn’t yet have.
Hypersonic missiles travel at least Mach 5, crossing the U.S. coast to coast in under 45 minutes. Unlike ballistic missiles, these are maneuverable and can change course or fly low, evading radar detection. The U.S. currently lacks a fully functional hypersonic missile, despite years of research and billions spent. Start-up Castelion, valued at $13 billion, aims to bridge this gap.
Founded by former SpaceX executives in 2022, the company has developed a low-cost hypersonic missile called Blackbeard. Despite ridicule from the Pentagon in their initial pitch, Castelion secured a $200 million contract with the U.S. Navy and is building a 1,000-acre site in New Mexico to produce thousands of Blackbeards annually.
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