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FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

Canada to replace Snowbirds’ CT-114 Tutor jets with PC-21-based CT-157 Siskin II, pausing displays after the 2026 season

Canada has selected the Pilatus PC-21-derived CT-157 Siskin II to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds’ CT-114 Tutor jets. The team will stand down after the 2026 airshow season, with the new turboprops expected to enter service in the early 2030s—meaning a multi-year gap in flying displays.

2026-05-19T12:10:05.021670-07:00

defence-blog.com

Russia begins flight testing of rebuilt two-seat Su-57D stealth fighter prototype

2026-05-19T11:25:23.543577-07:00

Aviation Week

GE Aerospace wins U.S. Air Force funding for GE426 medium-thrust engine PDR under Autonomous Collaborative Platform

2026-05-19T05:11:14.081754-07:00

FlightGlobal

AFSOC expands OA-1K Skyraider II with rapid disassembly, transport loading and reassembly

2026-05-19T09:54:37.145977-07:00

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FlightGlobal

Boeing MQ-25A Stingray secures Milestone C approval, setting stage for low-rate initial production Boeing’s MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed carrier refuelling aircraft has received Milestone C approval for the US Navy. The decision clears the way for low-rate initial production (LRIP) of the MQ-25A to support the Navy’s unmanned tanker concept integrated with carrier air operations.

2026-05-19T21:55:46.814816-07:00

Boeing MQ-25A Stingray secures Milestone C approval, setting stage for low-rate initial production

FlightGlobal

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Canada to replace Snowbirds’ CT-114 Tutor jets with PC-21-based CT-157 Siskin II, pausing displays after the 2026 season Canada has selected the Pilatus PC-21-derived CT-157 Siskin II to replace the Royal Canadian Air Force Snowbirds’ CT-114 Tutor jets. The team will stand down after the 2026 airshow season, with the new turboprops expected to enter service in the early 2030s—meaning a multi-year gap in flying displays.

2026-05-19T12:10:05.021670-07:00

Canada to replace Snowbirds’ CT-114 Tutor jets with PC-21-based CT-157 Siskin II, pausing displays after the 2026 season

defence-blog.com

Russia begins flight testing of rebuilt two-seat Su-57D stealth fighter prototype United Aircraft Corporation has commenced flight testing of a two-seat Su-57 variant, tentatively designated Su-57D, with a first flight reported on May 19 following earlier ground taxi trials. The twin-seat configuration is reported to support pilot training and may enable drone-coordination missions, with footage released via Russian MoD media.

2026-05-19T11:25:23.543577-07:00

Russia begins flight testing of rebuilt two-seat Su-57D stealth fighter prototype

Air Data News

Embraer KC-390 Millennium: Czech Air Force’s first aircraft completes maiden flight in Brazil Embraer says the first of two KC-390 Millennium aircraft ordered by the Czech Republic has completed its inaugural flight at Gavião Peixoto, where Embraer performs key industrial and test work. Prague bought two C-390-configured transports with refuelling capability in 2024, positioning the aircraft for Czech Air Force transport and support missions.

2026-05-19T10:40:19.832520-07:00

Embraer KC-390 Millennium: Czech Air Force’s first aircraft completes maiden flight in Brazil

FlightGlobal

AFSOC expands OA-1K Skyraider II with rapid disassembly, transport loading and reassembly U.S. Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) has broadened the Skyraider II close air support role (OA-1K), moving beyond an aircraft that can be built “on the fly” to a configuration designed for rapid disassembly. The update supports loading into transport aircraft, reassembly, and then redeployment to meet isolated special-ops timelines.

2026-05-19T09:54:37.145977-07:00

AFSOC expands OA-1K Skyraider II with rapid disassembly, transport loading and reassembly

Breaking Defense

Italy signs for six Airbus A330 MRTT tankers to replace aging KC-767 fleet Italy has signed for six Airbus A330 MRTT tankers in a deal valued at €1,390 million, replacing the Italian Air Force’s aging KC-767 fleet of four aircraft. Tender documents indicate Rome was also considering the Boeing KC-46 in earlier plans before selecting the A330 MRTT.

2026-05-19T09:10:26.446797-07:00

Italy signs for six Airbus A330 MRTT tankers to replace aging KC-767 fleet

Aviation Week

GE Aerospace wins U.S. Air Force funding for GE426 medium-thrust engine PDR under Autonomous Collaborative Platform GE Aerospace has received a U.S. Air Force contract to complete the preliminary design review for its GE426 medium-thrust engine supporting the service’s Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP). GE also disclosed a new small turbofan concept optimized for the cost profile of the emerging collaborative combat aircraft market, positioning GE426 as larger than the separate GEK1500 effort with Kratos.

2026-05-19T05:11:14.081754-07:00

GE Aerospace wins U.S. Air Force funding for GE426 medium-thrust engine PDR under Autonomous Collaborative Platform

AeroTime

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Romanian NATO F-16s shoot down suspected Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia—Baltic Air Policing’s first documented engagement Romanian F-16s operating under NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission downed a suspected Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia after it entered Estonian airspace from Russia. Estonian officials said the trajectory drove the decision to take it down, marking the first-ever engagement for the 22-year-old operation.

2026-05-19T04:09:20.248562-07:00

Romanian NATO F-16s shoot down suspected Ukrainian drone over southern Estonia—Baltic Air Policing’s first documented engagement

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Military Aircraft Procurement News

Canada to replace Snowbirds’ CT-114 Tutor jets with PC-21-based CT-157 Siskin II, pausing displays after the 2026 season

Russia begins flight testing of rebuilt two-seat Su-57D stealth fighter prototype

GE Aerospace wins U.S. Air Force funding for GE426 medium-thrust engine PDR under Autonomous Collaborative Platform

AFSOC expands OA-1K Skyraider II with rapid disassembly, transport loading and reassembly

News Timeline