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SoftBank Corp. and TOPPAN Holdings Develop Lightweight, Durable Skin for Solar HAPS Aircraft Wings

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Skin’s compatibility with stratospheric conditions such as extreme UV rays and ultra-low temperatures makes longer HAPS operations possible

TOKYO, April 27, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — SoftBank Corp. (TYO: 9434) (President & CEO: Junichi Miyakawa, “SoftBank”) and TOPPAN Holdings Inc. (TYO: 7911) (President & COO: Satoshi Oya, “TOPPAN Holdings”) jointly developed a lightweight, durable skin for use on solar High-Altitude Platform Station (HAPS) aircraft wings and devised a testing method that replicates the stratosphere’s environment. Test production will go forward, and the aircraft wing skin is planned for use with HTA-type[1] HAPS, which SoftBank plans to deploy for commercial services from 2029 onwards.     

This jointly developed HAPS aircraft wing skin and test method that reproduces stratospheric conditions were made possible by combining SoftBank’s HAPS expertise and TOPPAN Holdings’ know-how accrued over years of creating advanced multi-layered film technology designed for packaging and construction materials. TOPPAN Holdings also leveraged its proprietary technology that evaluates weather resistance. This joint development mitigates film damage (degradation) caused by strong ultraviolet (UV) rays and ultra-low temperatures of almost -100°C. As a result, the aircraft can stay in the stratosphere for longer periods. 

Development Background
HAPS, also referred to as “base stations in the sky,” provide communication services from uncrewed aircraft that remain airborne in the stratosphere. Being able to keep an aircraft with a communications payload airborne for extended periods of time would make it possible to provide an alternative means of communications in the aftermath of large-scale natural disasters, as well as provide communication services to under-connected areas, such as mountainous regions and remote islands. As these platforms operate from the stratosphere at an altitude of approximately 20 km above, they offer wider-area coverage than base stations on the ground, while also providing high-quality, high-volume, low-latency communications superior to satellite-based communications. However, at this altitude in the stratosphere, UV ray and ozone exposure is far greater than at ground level, and with exposure to extremely cold temperatures that sometimes drop to almost -100℃, impaired efficacy due to these environmental factors had been a serious issue with conventional all-purpose skins. Responding to this challenge, SoftBank and TOPPAN Holdings jointly developed a new ultra-lightweight, high-durability skin for aircraft wings capable of withstanding the harsh conditions of the stratosphere, along with a specialized methodology for its evaluation.     

Wing Skin & Evaluation Method Characteristics
1. Use of impact-resistant advanced resin and proprietary structure to achieve both lightweighting and safety
Leveraging converting technology[2] developed for packaging by TOPPAN Holdings, an optimized skin structure was achieved by precisely layering original materials and impact-resistant advanced resin suitable for use at extremely low temperature conditions. The resulting skin weighs the same as or less than average conventional all-purpose skin, and even if damage to the skin were to occur, the break-resistant design keeps damage from spreading, allowing for both a safe and lighter HAPS airframe.    

2. Advanced durability to address harsh stratospheric conditions
SoftBank has contributed real-world data from its stratospheric HAPS flights, including actual temperature measurements and deep ultraviolet (UV-C) ray exposure conditions, and has also defined requirements such as weight reduction and other performance criteria. This has enabled TOPPAN Holdings to design a skin that addresses exposure to the harsh environmental conditions of the stratosphere by applying technology developed for construction materials. These conditions particular to the stratosphere include everything from extremely low temperatures (approximately -50℃ to -95℃) to extreme heat (approximately 100℃) from direct sunlight. The skin is also resistant to short wave UV-C and high-concentration ozone (10-20 ppm, parts per million) exposure that are far stronger than at ground level. This durability will allow for extended HAPS operation periods.      

3. Establishing a testing method that simulates stratospheric conditions to ensure reliability
TOPPAN Holdings leveraged its knowledge of packaging film testing and accelerated durability testing of construction materials, to construct a new test environment that assesses the skin under a simulation of the ultralow temperatures of the stratosphere, while also facilitating the testing of simultaneous exposure from short wave UV rays and the ozone. By using this test environment, it is possible to understand the detailed mechanisms of deterioration particular to the stratosphere and to use that knowledge for improved product design. This understanding and design adjustment makes it possible to carry out a more precise and more reliable evaluation compared to former testing methods.     

Roles of Both Companies
SoftBank
Provide expertise required to evaluate the suitability of the skin as well as expertise on HAPS operations
Supervision of advancing use with HAPS aircraft and transferring advances to practical application

TOPPAN Holdings
Develop and provide skin material suitable for HAPS aircraft
Proposal for evaluation method in stratospheric environment

Future Developments
SoftBank and TOPPAN Holdings will proceed with research to make the skin material developed within the scope of this project even lighter and stronger by fiscal 2027 (the year ending March 31, 2028). Additionally, while evaluating durability in the stratosphere, both companies will also attempt to establish mass production technology capable of ensuring sufficient supply and reliable quality by fiscal 2028. Also, based on testing outcomes, additional functions will be added, and the skin is expected to be used by SoftBank on HTA-type HAPS aircraft that provide commercial services, planned for launch from 2029 onwards. Both companies also plan to apply this skin to other fields that require a high level of durability.

[1] HTA (Heavier-Than-Air) refers to HAPS that remain airborne by generating aerodynamic lift, similar to conventional aircraft.

[2] Converting technology is the process of transforming materials like film into high-function final products through specialized processing such as printing and lamination. 

For more information:
https://www.holdings.toppan.com/en/news/04/newsrelease260427_1.html 

About SoftBank Corp.
Guided by the SoftBank Group’s corporate philosophy, “Information Revolution – Happiness for everyone,” SoftBank Corp. (TOKYO: 9434) operates telecommunications and IT businesses in Japan and globally. Building on its strong business foundation, SoftBank Corp. is expanding into non-telecom fields in line with its “Beyond Carrier” growth strategy while further growing its telecom business by harnessing the power of 5G/6G, IoT, Digital Twin and Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) solutions, including High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS)-based stratospheric telecommunications. While constructing AI data centers and developing homegrown LLMs specialized for the Japanese language, SoftBank is integrating AI with radio access networks (AI-RAN), with the aim of becoming a provider of next-generation social infrastructure.
https://www.softbank.jp/en/corp/

About the TOPPAN Group
Established in Tokyo in 1900, the TOPPAN Group is a leading and diversified global provider committed to delivering sustainable, integrated solutions in fields including printing, communications, security, packaging, décor materials, electronics, and digital transformation. The TOPPAN Group’s global team of more than 50,000 employees offers optimal solutions enabled by industry-leading expertise and technologies to address the diverse challenges of every business sector and society and contribute to the achievement of shared sustainability goals.
https://www.holdings.toppan.com/en/
https://www.linkedin.com/company/toppan/

 

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SOURCE TOPPAN Holdings

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IG Wealth Management and Goldman Sachs Asset Management to Deliver Institutional Investment Expertise to Canadian Investors

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WINNIPEG, MB, Sept. 8, 2026 /CNW/ — IG Wealth Management (“IG”) and Goldman Sachs Asset Management today announced a strategic collaboration that will combine IG’s integrated financial planning expertise with the investment capabilities of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.

Together, the firms will help provide IG clients and Canadian retail investors access to globally diversified investment strategies across equities, fixed income and alternatives by providing them with solutions that have long been utilized by sophisticated institutional investors.

Goldman Sachs Asset Management’s Multi-Asset Solutions team will assume portfolio management responsibilities for the IG Strategic Wealth Portfolios (the “Portfolios”), comprised of five portfolios from the suite formerly known as the IG Core Portfolios. Goldman Sachs Asset Management will deliver a holistic management approach to the portfolios, with an emphasis on risk discipline and dynamism across different market environments, bringing to the Canadian wealth market capabilities that have historically only been available to institutional clients.

Designed to help IG’s clients and retail investors stay invested through market cycles and pursue long-term growth with confidence, the Portfolios will continue to deliver a globally diversified investment approach. Utilizing its open architecture platform and expertise in managing multi-manager strategies, Goldman Sachs Asset Management will introduce complementary flagship Goldman Sachs strategies to the Portfolios alongside existing strategies.  

“This partnership strengthens the investment foundation of the IG Strategic Wealth Portfolios by incorporating the world-class institutional investment capabilities of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, including adaptive active management, the breadth and expertise of their global resources and a disciplined approach to risk management,” said Florence Narine, Head of Investment Solutions, IG Wealth Management. “These capabilities reinforce our commitment to providing our clients with globally diversified, forward-thinking investment solutions.”

The evolution of the Portfolios reflects a shared commitment by both organizations to innovation, client-centricity and long-term value creation. Drawing on more than 250 years of combined experience serving investors, IG and Goldman Sachs bring together their complementary strengths to deliver actively managed, innovative solutions designed for today’s increasingly complex investment landscape.

“The forces shaping the global economy today are evolving more quickly and less predictably than in the past. We believe a modern approach to asset allocation, dynamic investment strategies, robust risk management processes and well-diversified portfolios help clients achieve their objectives across market environments,” said Alexandra Wilson-Elizondo, Global Head and Co-Chief Investment Officer of Multi-Asset Solutions, and Portfolio Manager, Goldman Sachs Asset Management. “We are excited to partner with IG to bring the capabilities of our Multi-Asset Solutions team to IG’s clients across Canada.”

The IG Strategic Wealth Portfolios included in this announcement are: 

IG Strategic Wealth Portfolio – Income FocusIG Strategic Wealth Portfolio – Income BalancedIG Strategic Wealth Portfolio – BalancedIG Strategic Wealth Portfolio – Balanced GrowthIG Strategic Wealth Portfolio – Growth

About IG Wealth Management
Founded in 1926, IG Wealth Management (“IG”) is a Canadian leader in delivering financial planning with approximately $178 billion in assets under advisement as of August 31, 2026. For more than 95 years, IG has been focused on improving the financial well-being of Canadians so they can confidently embrace all of life’s possibilities. Through a network of advisors located across the country, IG provides approximately one million clients with personalized advice, comprehensive financial planning, insurance and mortgage services and professionally managed investment solutions. IG is a member of IGM Financial Inc. (TSX: IGM), part of the Power Corporation group of companies and one of Canada’s leading diversified wealth and asset management organizations with approximately $346 billion in total assets under management and advisement as of August 31, 2026. For more information, visit ig.ca.

About Goldman Sachs Asset Management
Goldman Sachs Asset Management is the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs, delivering investment and advisory services across public and private markets for the world’s leading institutions, financial advisors, and individuals. The business is driven by a focus on partnership and shared success with its clients, seeking to deliver long-term investment performance drawing on its global network and deep expertise across industries and markets. Goldman Sachs Asset Management is a leading investor across fixed income, liquidity, equity, alternatives, and multi-asset solutions. Goldman Sachs oversees approximately $4 trillion in assets under supervision as of June 30, 2026. Follow us on LinkedIn.

SOURCE IG Wealth Management

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V2X to Deliver Tempest Counter-UAS Systems to U.S. Marine Corps

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RESTON, Va., Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — V2X, Inc. (NYSE: VVX) today announced it has been awarded a $19 million indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract by the U.S. Marine Corps to deliver Tempest counter-Unmanned Aerial System (C-UAS) vehicles, expanding access to a highly mobile capability designed to protect maneuver forces against rapidly evolving unmanned threats.

Under the contract, V2X will provide Tempest vehicles along with maintenance support, software management, spares, ancillary components, training, and other associated engineering services. Designed for speed, mobility, and adaptability, Tempest provides maneuver forces with a rapidly deployable solution capable of detecting, tracking, and defeating unmanned aerial threats while maintaining the flexibility to reposition as mission requirements evolve.

“Unmanned aerial systems are fundamentally changing the modern battlefield, creating an urgent need for counter-UAS solutions that are mobile, effective, and ready to operate in demanding environments,” said Jeremy C. Wensinger, President and Chief Executive Officer of V2X. “Tempest demonstrates what V2X does exceptionally well: respond to an urgent customer need and rapidly take a capability from concept and integration through fielding and sustainment. By bringing together our engineering, technology integration, logistics, and mission expertise, we can move with speed to deliver mission-ready solutions that directly address emerging threats.”

Tempest was developed by V2X as a highly mobile counter-UAS solution capable of operating alongside maneuver forces in austere and contested environments. Its commercially derived architecture enables rapid deployment, sustainment, and adaptability while providing the mobility required to respond to dynamic threats.

The award further strengthens V2X’s growing counter-UAS portfolio and demonstrates the company’s ability to develop, integrate, field, and sustain solutions in response to evolving operational requirements. V2X combines engineering, technology integration, logistics, training, and mission expertise to accelerate capability from concept to the field.

About V2X
V2X builds innovative solutions that integrate physical and digital environments by aligning people, actions, and technology. V2X is embedded in all elements of a critical mission’s lifecycle to enhance readiness, optimize resource management, and boost security. The company provides innovation spanning national security, defense, civilian, and international markets. With a global team of approximately 16,000 professionals, V2X enables mission success by injecting AI and machine learning capabilities to meet today’s toughest challenges across all operational domains.

Investor Contact
Mike Smith, CFA
Vice President, Treasury, Corporate Development and Investor Relations
IR@goV2X.com 
719-637-5773

Media Contact
Angelica Spanos Deoudes
Senior Director, Marketings and Communications
Angelica.Deoudes@goV2X.com
571-338-5195

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SOURCE V2X, Inc.

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Quantinuum Finalizes $100 Million CHIPS R&D Award with U.S. Department of Commerce to Advance Trapped-Ion Quantum Computer Manufacturing in the US

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The federal funding supports critical R&D and U.S. quantum semiconductor manufacturing capabilities needed to scale fault-tolerant trapped-ion quantum computing.Company partnering with GlobalFoundries to fabricate next-gen ion traps and control electronics, and Monarch Quantum to develop and manufacture reliable lasers and optical components.  

WASHINGTON, Sept. 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Quantinuum (Nasdaq: QNT), a leading quantum computing company, today announced it has finalized an agreement with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s CHIPS Research and Development Office for $100 million in federal funding deployed through the CHIPS and Science Act. The award, which follows a letter of intent announced in May, supports R&D and U.S. quantum semiconductor manufacturing capabilities needed to deploy large-scale, fault-tolerant trapped-ion quantum computers.

Quantinuum, which was the only company with a trapped-ion based architecture to be awarded CHIPS R&D funding, develops the world’s most accurate commercial[1] computers with industry-leading error correction fidelity.[2] The company leverages established semiconductor manufacturing processes to help ensure reliability, repeatability, and scalability of the company’s current and future quantum computers.

“This award is a validation of Quantinuum’s leadership in trapped-ion quantum computing,” said Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum. “Together with our domestic partners, we are building the technology and supply-chain foundation needed to scale fault-tolerant systems and strengthen America’s leadership in this strategically important field.”       

The award will support R&D that the company expects to help strengthen and diversify its supply chain, adding onshore partners GlobalFoundries and Monarch Quantum. GlobalFoundries will be one of several of Quantinuum’s foundries enlisted to fabricate its next-generation ion traps and other electronics, specifically focused on using 300mm wafer technology; Monarch Quantum plans to develop and manufacture scalable, reliable lasers and optical components required for Quantinuum’s trapped-ion systems.

“As quantum computing moves closer to commercial scale, manufacturing will be critical to unlocking its full potential,” said Tim Breen, CEO of GlobalFoundries. “GlobalFoundries is proud to partner with Quantinuum to help scale their trapped-ion technology. By bringing our expertise in high-volume, differentiated semiconductor manufacturing, we’re helping create a path to more scalable, reliable quantum hardware and advancing the next generation of American innovation.”

“The road to large-scale, trapped-ion quantum computers relies on moving away from complex, sprawling optical setups to scalable, reliable integrated photonics engines,” said Dr. Timothy Day, CEO of Monarch Quantum. “We are honored to expand our partnership with Quantinuum to advance their hardware roadmap and to help strengthen U.S. leadership in quantum computing manufacturing and supply chain resilience.”

Together, these efforts are intended to reduce system complexity and improve component robustness, reliability, and reproducibility, ultimately supporting the continued scaling of trapped-ion quantum computers, while strengthening domestic capability across critical photonics and semiconductor manufacturing.

About Quantinuum

Quantinuum is a leading quantum computing company offering a full-stack platform designed to make quantum computing deployable in real-world environments. The company has commercially deployed multiple generations of trapped-ion based quantum systems built on the well-established QCCD architecture, which it has implemented with novel designs and capabilities to achieve the industry’s highest accuracy levels based on average two-qubit gate fidelity.[3] Quantinuum has active engagements with market leaders across pharmaceuticals, material science, financial services, and government and industrial markets, as well as academic and research institutions globally. The company has a global workforce of over 800 employees, including top scientists and researchers. Quantinuum’s headquarters is in Broomfield, Colorado, with additional facilities across the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Qatar, and Singapore. For more information, please visit www.quantinuum.com.

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include all statements that are not historical facts. The words “anticipate,” “assume,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “plan,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “future,” “will,” “seek,” “foreseeable,” the negative version of these words, or similar terms and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on certain assumptions and assessments made by our management in light of their experience and their perception of historical trends, current economic and industry conditions, expected future developments and other factors they believe to be appropriate. The forward-looking statements included in this release are also subject to a number of material risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to economic, competitive, governmental, and technological factors affecting our operations, markets, products, services and prices. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for Quantinuum to predict all such factors. For additional information on these and other risks that could affect Quantinuum’s forward-looking statements, see Quantinuum’s risk factors discussed in its filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2026, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made, and, except as required by law, Quantinuum does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

[1] Based on physical two-qubit gate fidelity as of December 31, 2025, according to the 2025 Ransford et al. study.
[2] As of February 25, 2026, according to the 2026 Dasu et al. study.
[3] As of December 31, 2025.

press@quantinuum.com 

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