US Navy Awards Castelion $90M for Blackbeard Hypersonic Weapon

Today’s defense news features significant developments in military technology and international relations. From advanced weapon systems to strategic military aid, here’s a brief overview of the key stories.

US Navy Funds Blackbeard Hypersonic Weapon

The US Navy has awarded Castelion an $89.9 million contract to advance the Blackbeard hypersonic strike weapon, aiming for Early Operational Capability by 2028, Naval News reports. This funding covers engineering, technical, logistics, and manufacturing services for 50 Early Operational Capability weapons and the weapon’s transition to a Navy Program of Record. Blackbeard is designed as a compact, low-cost long-range hypersonic strike weapon, optimized for speeds exceeding Mach 5 and an operational strike range of up to 500 nautical miles, with integration prioritized for the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet fleet. Work will be performed in Torrance, California, and is expected to be completed by August 2028.

China’s J-35A Fighter Enters Service

China’s J-35A fighter has officially entered service with the People’s Liberation Army Air Force and achieved catapult certification on an aircraft carrier, 19FortyFive reports. The J-35A, and its naval variant, are designed to be China’s equivalent to the F-35, a medium fighter for mass production, carrier operations, and export. The navalized J-35 first flew in October 2021, followed by the land-based J-35A in 2023, with the naval jet successfully launching and recovering from the carrier Fujian using an electromagnetic catapult in September 2025. This marks a significant expansion of China’s stealth airpower capabilities, particularly for its growing carrier fleet.

China Aids Russia with Shahed Drone Upgrades

China has become a key supplier of components, including turbojet engines, for Russia’s Shahed drones, Kyiv Post Defense reports. New turbojet-powered variants can reach speeds of 483 kilometers per hour, making them significantly harder for Ukraine to intercept. Ukrainian officials noted an increase in Chinese-made components, particularly in a July attack on Kyiv using these faster models, which can outrun some Ukrainian interceptor drones. The engines are reportedly made by Telefly Telecommunications Equipment, a Chinese company based in Shenzhen, highlighting China’s role in bolstering Russia’s drone capabilities.

Ukraine Strikes Russian Military Targets

Ukrainian Defense Forces conducted strikes against several Russian military targets on August 25th and overnight into the 26th, Kyiv Post Defense reports. Targets included a Kasta radar station in Kacha, Crimea, a drone training center in Luhansk, and a repair and recovery base in Pervomaiske, Crimea. Ukrainian forces also hit multiple fuel, equipment, and ammunition depots, including a fuel and lubricant depot in Prychepylivka, Luhansk region, and military equipment warehouses in Svitlodolne, Donetsk region, and Novoivanivka in Crimea. The General Staff stated that the extent of the damage is still being assessed, and operations against key Russian military targets are ongoing.

China’s J-20 Stealth Fighter Fleet Expands

China’s Chengdu J-20 Mighty Dragon stealth fighter fleet may be approaching 500 airframes, with some reports suggesting factories are producing a significant number of units annually, 19FortyFive reports. The J-20, designed to counter the F-22 and F-35, has passed 300 documented airframes since its first flight in 2011 and entry into service in March 2017. Variants include the baseline J-20, the improved J-20A, and the two-seat J-20S, the world’s first two-seat stealth fighter, formally unveiled in 2025. The J-20 is designed for long-range missions, with a combat radius beyond 1,100 kilometers, and an estimated cost of around $110 million per aircraft.

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