US adapts Blackbeard hypersonic missile to mobile installations

US adapts hypersonic weapons to mobile launchers

The US Army has made an important step in the development of hypersonic weapons. The company Castelion received a contract for the integration of its rocket Blackbeard with mobile launchers, in particular the HIMARS.

Missiles of this class are capable of reaching speeds in excess of five strokes (more than five times faster than sound) and are designed to Overcoming modern air defence systems.

According to Reuters, The programme is aimed at creating a mobile complex capable of delivering precision strikes from anywhere in the world.

Scale of production

• The contract provides for adaptation of Blackbeard to existing mobile platforms, This will increase flexibility and speed of deployment.

• Company. Castelion declares its intention to start mass production of thousands of missiles per year.

• The main goal is to reduce the cost of one missile to tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars, This will make the system much cheaper than the current hypersonic models, which cost millions.

Geopolitical context

The development of hypersonic weapons has become part of the global technology race between the US, Russia and China.
Integration with mobile platforms such as HIMARS will allow the US to to move missiles quickly and deploy them closer to areas of potential conflict.

Experts note that this could be a «turning point» in the development of NATO's offensive weapons, providing a rapid response without the need for large bases.