Castelion Blackbeard hypersonic missile test-loaded on US Navy F/A-18

The post reports the first public indication that the US Navy’s air-launched Blackbeard (MACE/Project Alpha) hypersonic strike missile has been physically integrated and test-loaded on an F/A-18E/F, a key step toward flight testing and early operational capability. It also highlights apparent nose apertures consistent with a passive seeker (possibly imaging IR) aimed at anti-ship targeting, suggesting an EW-resilient guidance approach.