Edgewing secured a £4.6 billion ($6.1 billion) development contract on 3 July 2026, transitioning the Global Combat Air Programme from temporary bridge funding to a firm 18-month commitment. This award, backed by the UK’s newly published Defence Investment Plan, resolves a nine-month funding impasse and enables the demonstrator aircraft to proceed toward its targeted first flight before end-2027. The contract, covering 1 July 2026 through 31 December 2027, solidifies the industrial partnership between BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, ensuring sustained investment and technological collaboration across the UK, Italy, and Japan aerospace sectors. Delivery of the operational aircraft is now projected for 2035.