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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Poland’s first Italy-built F-35A completes maiden flight; Nigeria advances M-346FA deliveries with factory acceptance tests

Poland’s first Italy-built F-35A—part of a 32-jet program—has completed its maiden test flight as deliveries continue. In parallel, Nigeria’s air force has completed factory acceptance tests on the first batch of three Leonardo M-346FAs at Venegono, Italy, after earlier delivery timing expected in 2025.

Aviation A2Z • Karan Bhatta

Poland’s 1st Italy-Built Most Advanced Fighter Jet in the World Completes Maiden Test Flight

2 Sources

2026-07-29T20:16:51.700843-07:00

Space Force ULA Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors Launch Vehicles & Space Transportation Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact

Breaking Defense • Carley Welch

Army adds $54B to Lockheed PAC-3 agreement, totaling $59B

By Breaking Defense: The contract is undefinitized, meaning dollar values and quantities could change as negotiations continue.

2 Sources

2026-07-29T16:02:07.676544-07:00

Hypersonic Military Aircraft Procurement Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Aviation Week • Chen Chuanren

China Fields YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile On More Warships

By Aviation Week: The Chinese military has confirmed that its Yingji-20 (YJ-20) hypersonic anti-ship ballistic missile is compatible with the Type 052D guided-missile destroyer.

The War Zone

China Fires YJ-20 Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile From Smaller Destroyer

2 Sources

2026-07-29T08:29:43.672581-07:00

Defense Budgets & Spending Defense Industry & Major Contractors

Reuters

L3Harris beats quarterly revenue estimates on strong weapons demand

By Reuters: Defense supplier L3Harris Technologies beat Wall Street estimates for second-quarter revenue on Wednesday, as it banks on strong demand for weapons and military technology.

1 Source

2026-07-29T14:56:30.456018-07:00

Policy & Regulation Export Controls & Trade Compliance Airbus

Reuters

Airbus says it paid £6 million fine in UK export control probe

By Reuters: Airbus said on Wednesday it had paid just over £6.4 million to UK revenue and customs authorities to settle a two-year-old investigation into export control violations.

Also: Economic Times

2 Sources

2026-07-29T14:53:45.689159-07:00

UAV Development & Drone Programs AI Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact Defense Policy

Breaking Defense • Michael Marrow

Air Force plans downselect for second CCA batch next year

By Breaking Defense: A separate competition to replace the MQ-9A Reaper is expected to kick off a concept refinement stage early in the next fiscal year, according to an Air Force official.

AeroTime

Mayhem 10 drones demonstrate coordinated swarm operations for first time

Aviation Week

Chaos Acquires Atropos To Expand Into Airborne Systems

Also: Defense One, Air & Space Forces Mag and militaryleak.com

6 Sources

2026-07-29T10:45:37.024240-07:00

Satellite Europe Space Policy & International Cooperation Space Defense & Militarization

Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Spain to invest up to $2.3B into secure satcom to be integrated into Europe’s Iris2 network as part of Spanish defense buildup

By Space Intel Report: TUPPER LAKE, NY— Spain will be investing up to $2.3 billion into a national secure satellite broadband constellation that will be integrated into Europe’s Iris2 multi-orbit network, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez announced July 29.

1 Source

2026-07-29T12:35:20.140832-07:00

Military Aircraft Procurement Defense Industry & Major Contractors Asia-Pacific (APAC) Defense Policy

The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

Singapore Reportedly Looking Toward 6th Gen Fighter Future With Interest In GCAP Program

By The War Zone: Singapore is yet to receive its first F-35s, but it shouldn’t be a surprise that the strategically located city-state has an eye on what comes next. Singapore is yet to receive its first F-35s, but it shouldn’t be a surprise that the strategically located city-state has an eye on what comes next.

1 Source

2026-07-29T10:34:37.944058-07:00

Poland’s first Italy-built F-35A completes maiden flight; Nigeria advances M-346FA deliveries with factory acceptance tests

Poland’s 1st Italy-Built Most Advanced Fighter Jet in the World Completes Maiden Test Flight

Army adds $54B to Lockheed PAC-3 agreement, totaling $59B

China Fields YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile On More Warships

China Fires YJ-20 Hypersonic Anti-Ship Missile From Smaller Destroyer

L3Harris beats quarterly revenue estimates on strong weapons demand

Airbus says it paid £6 million fine in UK export control probe

Air Force plans downselect for second CCA batch next year

Mayhem 10 drones demonstrate coordinated swarm operations for first time

Chaos Acquires Atropos To Expand Into Airborne Systems

Spain to invest up to $2.3B into secure satcom to be integrated into Europe’s Iris2 network as part of Spanish defense buildup

Singapore Reportedly Looking Toward 6th Gen Fighter Future With Interest In GCAP Program

Nigeria set to receive first three M-346FAs

Army adds $54B to Lockheed PAC-3 agreement, totaling $59B

L3Harris beats quarterly revenue estimates on strong weapons demand

Airbus says it paid £6 million fine in UK export control probe

China Fields YJ-20 Hypersonic Missile On More Warships

Spain to invest up to $2.3B into secure satcom to be integrated into Europe’s Iris2 network as part of Spanish defense buildup

GOP blocks bill stopping funding for Qatari-donated B747-8

Elroy Air equips Chaparral with 3 unattended delivery modes under U.S. Army contract

What we know about Lockheed's new Patriot missile

How CAE is helping defence customers train for interoperability and multi-domain missions

Boeing logs record $715B backlog while Air Force One VC-25B replacement costs balloon

France mobilizes an Airbus A400M to combat Gironde wildfires, disrupting Airbus and Rafale-area aerospace operations

Bell wins $300M SPINE upgrade contract for up to 49 US Marine Corps H-1-family helicopters

USAF to restart B-52 radar testing after June crash; replacement test bomber targeted for end-2026 completion with AN/APQ-188

The day’s aerospace signal, in one email.

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