Castelion has launched “Project Ranger,” a 1,000-acre (405-hectare) industrial campus in Sandoval County, New Mexico, focused on high-rate manufacturing of hypersonic strike systems.
According to the company, the site will enable production of solid rocket motors, static testing, and final assembly of hypersonic weapons.
The project includes 21 planned buildings and is scheduled to reach full operational capacity by the end of this year, with the first facility scheduled for completion in mid-2026.
Project Ranger included over $220 million in private investment and is expected to generate around 300 jobs.
Moreover, Castelion estimated an economic impact of $650 million in New Mexico over the next decade.
Site selection involved coordination between state and regional entities, including Sandoval County, Rio Rancho, the Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance, and the Sandoval Economic Alliance.
“We chose New Mexico for its unparalleled technical talent and history of scientific achievement,” said Bryon Hargis, CEO and Co-Founder of Castelion.
“Project Ranger represents a renaissance in American manufacturing, delivering the advanced systems our country needs.
Hypersonic Capabilities
The launch of Project Ranger follows ongoing hypersonic programs with the US military.
Last year, Castelion secured contracts to integrate its Blackbeard hypersonic weapon onto operational US Army and US Navy platforms.
The agreements include live-fire demonstrations intended to support the Pentagon’s evaluation of lower-cost conventional strike options.
Blackbeard is designed as a mid-range precision strike munition compatible with existing launchers, including the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, and the US Army’s planned Common Autonomous Multi-Domain Launcher.
Developed for high-rate production and rapid fielding, Blackbeard uses in-house propulsion and guidance systems to reduce costs while maintaining required performance levels.
