"Former SpaceX engineers spearhead Castelion venture, securing $350 million to ramp up production of hypersonic weaponry"
In the heart of El Segundo, California, a groundbreaking defense technology company named Castelion is making waves. Founded by a team of former SpaceX engineers, the company boasts an impressive pedigree, with the likes of Bryon Hargis, Sean Pitt, and Andrew Kreitz at its helm.
Andrew Kreitz, who serves as Co-Founder & CFO, brings a wealth of experience to the table, having managed SpaceX's launch forecasting and government cost proposals, and previously holding the position of Vice President at Goldman Sachs. Sean Pitt, Co-Founder & COO, led SpaceX's launch and human spaceflight sales in Europe, while Bryon Hargis, Co-Founder & CEO, is a 20-year veteran of the aerospace and defense industry, holding an M.S. in Applied Physics and a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering.
Castelion's headquarters in California is complemented by additional operations in Allen and Midland, Texas. The company's mission is to build low-cost, mass-producible hypersonic missiles, a technology that is rapidly becoming central to future military capabilities.
The future of hypersonics may hinge on the speed of execution, with the US defense establishment under pressure to close the hypersonic gap with China. In this race, Castelion's unique approach and advantage lie primarily in how it brings Silicon Valley-style speed, agility, and cost-efficiency to a traditionally slow-moving and expensive defense industry.
Unlike traditional defense players that often face lengthy development timelines and high costs, Castelion adopts a rapid development methodology characterized by fast prototyping, frequent testing, and vertical integration. This approach allows them to drastically reduce both the development time and production costs of hypersonic missile systems, which travel at speeds exceeding Mach 5.
Castelion's flagship effort, the Blackbeard Ground Launch missile, targets mid-range precision strike capabilities with a focus on attacking time-sensitive moving and hardened targets at a much-reduced cost per missile compared to existing Army inventory. This missile is designed not to replace but to complement more advanced systems by offering about 80% of the capability of more expensive missiles at a significantly lower price point.
The U.S. Army has recognised the potential of Castelion, including the company in its fiscal year 2026 budget request under Project HX3, seeking $25 million to support the development of Castelion's Blackbeard Ground Launch missile. The Army's plan for Castelion's Blackbeard GL involves two phases: a prototype proof-of-concept demonstration in early 2026, followed by 10 test missiles in 2027.
If field trials meet expectations, Castelion could move into full-scale delivery by early 2028. The Army's Rapid Capabilities and Critical Technologies Office (RCCTO) is overseeing the development of Castelion's Blackbeard GL missile, and the Army's budget request for Project HX3 includes $25 million to support the development.
Castelion has already secured grants from the Air Force Research Laboratory and Naval Air Systems Command, and the company is preparing to close a $350 million Series B round, bringing its total capital raised to approximately $450 million.
With its focus on affordability, scalability, and rapid innovation, Castelion is poised to reshape the economics and strategy of missile production, potentially challenging legacy aerospace giants by combining startup agility with advanced hypersonic technology. The future of U.S. hypersonic missile production and deployment may well be shaped by this innovative startup.
[1] Castelion's approach prioritizes cost-efficiency and manufacturing speed over marginal performance gains, differentiating it from traditional defense players. [2] The trajectory of Castelion could reshape the economics and strategy of missile production, operating at Mach 5 and beyond. [3] If field trials meet expectations, Castelion could move into full-scale delivery by early 2028. [4] The Army's plan includes long-term government deals with Castelion.
- To achieve cost-efficiency and manufacturing speed, Castelion's approach differentiates it from traditional defense players, emphasizing affordability over marginal performance gains.
- As Castelion operates at Mach 5 and beyond, its trajectory could reshape the economics and strategy of missile production, potentially revolutionizing the field of hypersonic technology.
- If field trials meet expectations, Castelion could move into full-scale delivery by early 2028, marking a major milestone in their mission to reshape the hypersonic missile industry.
- The Army's plan includes long-term government deals with Castelion, signaling a potential shift towards startup financing in the realm of advanced defense technology.
