Air-launched Blackbeard Missile Shown In Flight Testing

A Navy F/A-18F assigned to VX-23 has been photographed carrying two Castelion Blackbeard missiles during flight testing, providing the clearest public evidence yet of the weapon's air-launched configuration. The images show captive-carry activity on the fighter's inboard pylons rather than a confirmed release or powered flight. Blackbeard is associated with the Navy's lower-cost, carrier-based strike effort and appears to combine a rocket booster with a maneuvering hypersonic payload, but its performance, test schedule and planned fielding details remain largely classified. Further testing will determine whether the concept meets Navy requirements.