In the fiscal year 2026 budget, the US Army has allocated $25 million for Project HX3, which aims to integrate the Blackbeard ground-launched hypersonic missile system (GL) into the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

This funding follows previous testing and prototyping activities and marks the system's formal transition to the Supersonic Engineering and Manufacturing Development (EMD) phase.

The low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic strike missile being developed for the US Army is being studied for integration onto HIMARS. Photo: The War Zone

The investment will be used to complete software validation, conduct system flight tests, and complete the integration of All Up Round and Canister (AUR+C) into existing launchers.

Castelion, a US Department of Defense partner company, is conducting hypersonic missile tests using several mobile launch vehicles, allowing for multiple flight test campaigns to be conducted in parallel.

This increases the frequency of testing, allowing performance data to be collected over short-interval launches and allowing for rapid identification and correction of technical issues.

A special HIMARS system with up to 5 axles carries a launcher with 4 Blackbeard GL supersonic missiles. Photo: Castelion

According to the US Army, the Blackbeard GL is designed to improve the HIMARS platform's ability to conduct medium-range precision strikes.

These targets are inherently high-speed or hardened targets, with a focus on lower cost per missile and improved survivability in high-threat environments.

The system is not being introduced as a replacement for the Long Range Hypersonic Weapon (LRHW), but rather as a tactical addition that can provide 80% of the expected capability from the Increment 4 Precision Strike Missile (PrSM).

The Blackbeard GL will therefore introduce hypersonic capabilities to the existing HIMARS and Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MFOM) architecture by integrating into modified launch bays.

Its seeker-based terminal guidance system allows improved ability to engage moving or hidden targets in poor weather conditions.

Complete systems are expected to be delivered to US Army forces in 2028.

The Blackbeard (GL) hypersonic missile is launched during an experiment in June 2025. Photo: Lockheed Martin

Blackbeard (GL) belongs to the class of short-range hypersonic ballistic missiles (ICBMs) with a range of over 500 km. Architecturally, it is closest to modern operational tactical missiles of the ATACMS type (over 300 km) and PrSM Increment 1 (up to 1,000 km).

This type of missile can travel at speeds equivalent to Mach 4 and has an effective range of up to 700-800km.

Castelion, a startup founded in 2022 by three former SpaceX employees, is focused on developing high-speed strike weapons that are also relatively low-cost and easy to manufacture.

As of January, the company had raised more than $100 million in funding from private investors and had secured tens of millions more in US military contracts.