Image for representation purposes only Two U.S. defense technology companies, Saronic and Castelion, have announced plans to launch a hypersonic missile from an unmanned surface vessel. Under the partnership, Castelion’s Blackbeard hypersonic system will be integrated with Saronic’s Marauder medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV). The companies are targeting an at-sea demonstration in 2027. The project aims to combine autonomous maritime technology with hypersonic strike capability, giving military commanders additional options for future naval operations. According to the companies, deploying hypersonic weapons from unmanned vessels could increase the number of available launch platforms while reducing reliance on crewed ships. Saronic co-founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas said the combination of the Marauder vessel and Blackbeard hypersonic system could expand U.S. strike options by providing more launch locations and improving operational flexibility. The companies said distributing hypersonic launch capability across autonomous vessels could make military operations more flexible and provide commanders with more launch points across large ocean areas. Castelion co-founder and CEO Bryon Hargis said the combination of Blackbeard and Marauder would provide military forces with more launch opportunities from a range of locations. The partnership builds on earlier cooperation between the two firms. In late 2025, Saronic used its 24-foot autonomous vessel Corsair as a telemetry collection and communications platform during a Blackbeard flight test. Both companies said they are continuing testing and risk-reduction efforts as they prepare for the planned 2027 maritime launch demonstration. Castelion is also expanding production of the Blackbeard system and plans to manufacture several thousand missiles annually. The company said the weapon has already received multiple awards supporting integration with both U.S. Army and Navy platforms. At the same time, Saronic is increas