Army Eyes Low-Cost Hypersonic Missile Deal With Castelion

The US Army is fast-tracking a partnership with the defense startup Castelion as it looks to catch up with Russia and China in deploying hypersonic missiles after years of delays and high costs involving other contractors.

The multi-year framework agreement, set to be signed later this year, will begin in fiscal year 2027 and support Castelion’s efforts to develop its Blackbeard low-cost hypersonic missiles, according to Lieutenant General Frank Lozano, the Army’s program acquisition executive for missiles and space.

With the deal, Castelion will be the first non-traditional defense company to enter into such an arrangement. President Donald Trump introduced ...