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Marauder中型無人水面載具（MUSV，圖片取自Saronic公司）

美國自主船艦新創公司Saronic與極音速武器開發商Castelion近日宣布，雙方將合作把「Blackbeard」極音速飛彈整合至「Marauder」中型無人水面載具（MUSV），並計畫於2027年進行驗證展示，挑戰全球首次由無人水面載具發射極音速武器的里程碑。

US autonomous vessel company Saronic and hypersonic missile developer Castelion have announced plans to integrate the Blackbeard hypersonic missile onto the Marauder medium unmanned surface vessel (MUSV), aiming to conduct a demonstration in 2027 that could become the world's first hypersonic missile launch from a USV.

打造分散式打擊能力　降低對大型作戰平台依賴

Building Distributed Strike Capability Without Reliance on Large Platforms

隨著美軍積極推動「分散式作戰」（Distributed Operations）概念，如何在較低成本下部署遠程打擊火力，已成為各軍種共同課題。

Saronic與Castelion表示，透過將極音速飛彈部署於無人艇平台，可望大幅提升部隊彈藥投射密度（Magazine Depth），同時增加作戰彈性，讓敵方更難預判飛彈發射位置、時間與攻擊路徑。

As the US military advances distributed operations concepts, expanding long-range strike capacity at lower cost has become a major priority.

According to Saronic and Castelion, integrating hypersonic weapons onto autonomous surface vessels could significantly increase magazine depth and operational flexibility while making it more difficult for adversaries to predict launch locations, timing, and attack trajectories.

執行長：讓部隊從更多地方發射更多飛彈

CEOs Highlight Greater Flexibility and Deterrence

Castelion執行長看法

Castelion共同創辦人暨執行長Bryon Hargis表示：

「Blackbeard與Marauder將讓作戰部隊能從更多地點，以更少限制發射更多武器。」

他認為，新型組合將有助於建立更具彈性的遠程打擊網路。

Castelion CEO Statement

Castelion Co-Founder and CEO Bryon Hargis stated:

"Blackbeard and Marauder will give our warfighters more shots, from more places, with fewer constraints."

He emphasized that the combination could create a more flexible and scalable strike architecture.

Saronic執行長觀點

Saronic共同創辦人暨執行長Dino Mavrookas指出：

「從Marauder無人艇發射Castelion極音速飛彈，將徹底改變敵軍對美軍打擊能力的評估方式。」

他認為，嚇阻能力來自能力、數量與可信度三大要素，而雙方合作正是在同時提升這三項關鍵能力。

Saronic CEO Statement

Saronic Co-Founder and CEO Dino Mavrookas added:

"Launching a Castelion hypersonic missile from a Marauder MUSV significantly changes how adversaries calculate where and how the United States can strike."

He argued that deterrence is ultimately built on capability, capacity, and credibility, and that the partnership aims to strengthen all three.

Marauder無人艇成為美軍MUSV計畫重要候選平台

Marauder Selected for US Navy MUSV Testing Efforts

平台性能解析

Marauder目前已入選美國海軍中型無人水面載具（MUSV）計畫海上測試階段。

主要性能包括：

• 艇長約45公尺
• 最大酬載40公噸
• 巡航速度約12節
• 衝刺速度超過18節
• 模組化任務艙設計
• 支援多種感測器與武器系統

未來有望執行情監偵、電子作戰、後勤支援與遠程打擊等多元任務。

Platform Overview

The Marauder has already been selected for at-sea testing within the US Navy's MUSV program.

Key specifications include:

• Length: 45 meters
• Payload capacity: 40 metric tons
• Cruise speed: 12 knots
• Sprint speed: over 18 knots
• Modular payload architecture
• Support for various sensors and mission systems

The vessel is expected to support ISR, logistics, electronic warfare, and strike missions.

Blackbeard極音速飛彈主打低成本量產

Blackbeard Designed for Affordable Mass Production

飛彈特色

另一方面，Castelion正加速推動Blackbeard極音速武器研發。

該型飛彈特色包括：

• 極音速滑翔或助推滑翔構型
• 長程精準打擊能力
• 自主研發推進系統
• 自主導引與控制技術
• 強調量產化與快速部署

其目標是在維持高性能的同時，大幅降低傳統極音速武器的生產成本。

Missile Capabilities

Castelion is simultaneously advancing development of the Blackbeard hypersonic missile.

The system is expected to feature:

• Hypersonic glide or boost-glide configuration
• Long-range strike capability
• In-house propulsion technologies
• Proprietary guidance systems
• Scalable manufacturing design

The company aims to reduce production costs while maintaining operational effectiveness.

無人艇結合極音速武器　可能改變海上作戰模式

若2027年驗證成功，將代表極音速武器首次從無人水面平台發射。

相較於驅逐艦、巡洋艦或轟炸機等高價值載台，無人艇具備：

• 低成本
• 易於大量部署
• 分散式生存能力高
• 不需搭載人員

未來可望形成「大量無人載具＋極音速武器」的新型海上打擊架構。

Strategic Implications

If successful, the 2027 demonstration could mark a significant milestone in naval warfare.

Combining hypersonic weapons with autonomous surface vessels offers several advantages:

• Lower acquisition costs
• Greater scalability
• Distributed survivability
• Reduced risk to personnel

Military analysts view this concept as a potential foundation for future distributed maritime strike networks, where large numbers of autonomous platforms deliver long-range precision fires across wide operational areas.