La US Navy avanza en la integraci\u00f3n de los misiles hipers\u00f3nicos Blackbeard en los jets de combate F\/A-18E\/F de esa fuerza. Este misil hipers\u00f3nico de bajo costo es un desarrollo de la empresa CASTELION, la que ha acreditado que el vector alcanza velocidades superiores a MACH 5 y la capacidad de maniobrar en su trayectoria al objetivo. Est\u00e1 previsto que cada F\/A-18 pueda llevar hasta 4 Blackbeard, lo que le otorgar\u00eda una poderosa capacidad de batir blancos estrat\u00e9gicos a grandes distancias, teniendo en cuenta la capacidad de los F\/A 18 para operar desde portaaviones. Asimismo, el US Army como la US AirForce est\u00e1n interesados en incorporar estos misiles en sus respectivas plataformas.<\/p>\n
The U.S. Navy is preparing to add a new class of high-speed strike weapons to its carrier-based fighter fleet. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Daryl Caudle recently examined Blackbeard, a hypersonic missile developed by defense startup Castelion, during a visit to Naval Air Station Patuxent River in Maryland.<\/p>\n
The October 28 visit provided a closer look at the weapon\u2019s progress toward integration with the F\/A-18E\/F Super Hornet. The Navy has already conducted an initial flight evaluation, with further testing planned before the missile enters operational service.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Caudle inspected the weapon at Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 23 (VX-23), which handles weapons testing at the installation. The visit also included discussions about the Navy\u2019s broader approach to developing autonomous aircraft and extending the reach of carrier-based operations.<\/p>\n
Hypersonic weapon nears testing<\/strong><\/p>\n Blackbeard falls into the hypersonic category, which covers weapons capable of exceeding Mach 5. Its flight profile also allows it to change direction during atmospheric flight. This combination could complicate interception attempts by adversary air defense networks.<\/p>\n Integrating the weapon onto the Super Hornet has already produced several testing milestones. A Navy presentation in August showed two Blackbeard test articles mounted beneath the fighter\u2019s wings.<\/p>\n Engineers took the next step on September 18. A Super Hornet departed Patuxent River carrying two missiles during a developmental flight. The aircraft completed the sortie without releasing either weapon, allowing the Navy to evaluate how the fighter handles their additional weight and external configuration.<\/p>\n