The US Army is gearing up to give its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) a hypersonic boost with the development of the Blackbeard Ground Launch (GL) weapon system.
The plan is to integrate the Blackbeard missile into existing HIMARS platforms, combining high-speed precision with the system’s mobility and established infrastructure.
Currently in development by Castelion Corporations, the Blackbeard GL will use self-guiding tech to strike targets at Mach 5 speeds. It is being designed for precision engagement against reinforced and moving enemy assets, even in challenging environments.
It adapts existing pods from the Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) family of munitions, allowing it to be fired from the HIMARS and tracked M270 launchers with minimal modification.
According to the US Army, the hypersonic missile is “an affordable, mass-produced weapon designed for mid-range precision,” offering around 80 percent of the capability of more advanced weapon systems but at a lower cost.
Blackbeard’s rollout starts with a flight test of an air-launched variant in 2026, followed by a live-fire demo in 2027, and potential battlefield deployment in 2028.
Upgraded Strike Capabilities
HIMARS has played a pivotal role in Ukraine’s fight against invading Russian forces, helping disrupt operations and take out high-value targets with speed and precision.
The truck-mounted system can fire six guided rockets in rapid succession and relocate quickly to avoid detection or counter-fire.
Its standard munitions reach up to 80 kilometers (50 miles), while the platform can also fire a single Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) with a range of 300 kilometers (186 miles).
Now, the Blackbeard GL missile aims to take that firepower even further, bringing hypersonic capabilities to HIMARS without sacrificing mobility.
While the unit cost remains unclear, the army has allocated $25 million to advance Blackbeard into full development.
