UAV Development & Drone Programs   Hypersonic   Military Aircraft Procurement   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons  

Navy begins F/A-18 Super Hornet testing of low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile

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The U.S. Navy has begun testing the low-cost Blackbeard hypersonic missile on the F/A-18 Super Hornet and is targeting a limited operational arsenal within two years. The effort points to a potentially faster, more affordable path to deploying hypersonic capability from existing tactical aircraft.

Discovered 2026-08-26T15:50:08.091903-07:00 | 2026-08-26T15:50:08.091903-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • Testing on the F/A-18 Super Hornet indicates the Navy is pursuing integration with an existing tactical-aircraft fleet rather than waiting for a new launch platform.
  • The Navy’s two-year target for a limited operational arsenal underscores the urgency of fielding hypersonic weapons and the importance of low-cost approaches to scaling capability.

Reported By

interestingengineering.com The War Zone
Sources Tracked
2
First Seen
2026-08-26T15:50:08.091903-07:00
Latest Update
2026-08-26T15:53:27.292007-07:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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