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Bloomberg • Lizette Chapman

Defense Manufacturing Startup Hadrian Reaches $7.87 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round

Hadrian, a defense manufacturing startup serving the Pentagon, Lockheed Martin and other customers, secured a $7.87 billion valuation in a new funding round. The capital will support workforce expansion as the company scales its manufacturing operations for defense-sector demand.

2 Sources

2026-08-06T07:16:01.873089-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs Europe Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

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AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

By AeroTime: Lithuanian military intelligence believes Russia is considering using Ukrainian-made drones to strike critical infrastructure in the Baltic region in an operation designed to obscure who launched it, Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas confirmed on August 6, 2026.

Also: Business Insider

2 Sources

2026-08-06T07:59:21.024031-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Paramount’s Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission

By FlightGlobal: New combination offers the ability to engage slow-speed aerial threats.

1 Source

2026-08-06T06:44:47.043665-07:00

Event Europe Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Finland and Sweden make first-ever appearance to RAAF’s Exercise Pitch Black

By AeroTime: Finland and Sweden sent delegations to Australia's Exercise Pitch Black for the first time this year, focusing on fighter integration and maintenance.

1 Source

2026-08-06T05:59:14.775137-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Boeing

Seapower Magazine • Press Release

U.S. Air Force Awards Boeing $75 Million Contract for Long-Range JDAM Munition

By Seapower Magazine: ST. CHARLES, Mo. — The U.S. Air Force has awarded Boeing a $75 million Undefinitized Contract Action to acquire the BSU-111/B Payload Delivery Unit Joint Direct Attack Munition Long Range (JDAM LR), a precision-guided munition that can travel over 300 nautical miles with a 500-pound class (226-kilogram) payload.

FlightGlobal

Boeing scores contract for JDAM LR strike weapon

Air & Space Forces Mag

Long-Range JDAM Deal Gives Air Force New Standoff Strike Option

Also: Aeronews, marketforecast.com, Seapower Magazine and Seapower Magazine

8 Sources

2026-08-05T13:30:55.127045-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors

FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Australia confirms AIM-260 air-to-air missile procurement

By FlightGlobal: Long-range weapon will initially be used by RAAF’s F/A-18F Super Hornets. The Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) will be the first nation outside of the USA to operate the Lockheed Martin AIM-260 Joint Advanced Tactical Missile (JATM).

Also: Aviation Week and Janes

3 Sources

2026-08-05T21:31:05.695500-07:00

Aircraft Carrier

FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

US Navy concludes C-2A Greyhound operations

By FlightGlobal: The service held a sundown ceremony with the last C-2A carrier resupply turboprop, ending more than 60 years of service.

Also: Air Data News

2 Sources

2026-08-05T19:44:36.152013-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Accident

The War Zone • Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

XQ-58 Valkyrie Crashes At Dugway Proving Ground In Utah (Updated)

By The War Zone: The stealthy autonomous drone's manufacturer, Kratos, said it went down upon takeoff while in a "test configuration.".

2 Sources

2026-08-05T14:30:57.127056-07:00

Defense Manufacturing Startup Hadrian Reaches $7.87 Billion Valuation in New Funding Round

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

Paramount’s Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission

Finland and Sweden make first-ever appearance to RAAF’s Exercise Pitch Black

U.S. Air Force Awards Boeing $75 Million Contract for Long-Range JDAM Munition

Boeing scores contract for JDAM LR strike weapon

Long-Range JDAM Deal Gives Air Force New Standoff Strike Option

Australia confirms AIM-260 air-to-air missile procurement

US Navy concludes C-2A Greyhound operations

XQ-58 Valkyrie Crashes At Dugway Proving Ground In Utah (Updated)

Lithuania warns Russia could use Ukrainian drones in false flag attack

Defense Startup Hadrian Valued at $7.87 Billion in New Round

Paramount’s Mwari gets Aselsan sensor as focus shifts to counter-drone mission

Finland and Sweden make first-ever appearance to RAAF’s Exercise Pitch Black

U.S. Air Force Awards Boeing $75 Million Contract for Long-Range JDAM Munition

Australia confirms AIM-260 air-to-air missile procurement

Royal Navy demonstrates Wildcat helicopter controlling aerial drones

P-8 Poseidon Crews Controlling MQ-4C Triton Drones Becoming A Reality

Army launches search for counter-drone missile priced under $150K

Capella, Iceye and Umbra win NRO radar-data contracts

Colombia orders two Embraer KC-390s in first Latin American sale outside Brazil

Archer’s Midnight completes California city-to-city flight as eVTOL sector advances commercial and defense applications

U.S. Navy seeks uncrewed aircraft for ultra-long-range carrier strike in the Pacific

Military services advance networked maritime operations with autonomous aircraft, drones and surface vessels

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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