Event   Middle East   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

RIAT 2026 cancelled as Middle East conflict threatens access to RAF Fairford

Organizers of the Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) cancelled the 2026 show after “extensive discussions” with the RAF and the U.S. Air Force. The decision cites uncertainty over major military aircraft access to RAF Fairford amid ongoing Middle East operational deployments, with refunds planned.

aviationnews.eu • Marcel Van Leeuwen

RIAT 2026 Cancelled

Also: Flyer.co.uk, Aviation Week, The Aviationist, ukaviation.aero and airforce-technology.com
2026-05-22T04:05:33.753250-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Airbus  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Thailand orders two Airbus C295 tactical transports

By Air Data News: Royal Thai Air Force will become the second military branch in the country to operate the C295 turboprop Royal Thai Air Force has ordered two Airbus C295 tactical transport aircraft in a deal that will expand the country’s military airlift fleet.

2026-05-22T04:54:16.483813-07:00
MRO   Defense Budgets & Spending   Asia-Pacific (APAC)  
AeroTime • Jean Carmela Lim

Australia opens US $130 million facility for P-8A Poseidon maintenance at RAAF

By AeroTime: Australia has opened a new AUD 200 million (US $130 million) facility at the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) Base Edinburgh in South Australia. It is set to serve as a regional hub for the maintenance and sustainment of P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.

2026-05-22T04:53:53.624360-07:00
MRO   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Embraer  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

Embraer hints at possible Greek C-390 order with MRO agreement

By Air Data News: Embraer signed a memorandum of understanding with Hellenic Aerospace Industry (HAI) on May 22, a move that signals growing expectations that Greece could become a future operator of the C-390 Millennium military transport aircraft.

2026-05-22T01:39:09.248065-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   General Atomics   Military Aircraft Procurement  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

AFSOC Reapers get long-range punch with GBU-39B integration

By FlightGlobal: GBU-39B gives special forces an accurate stand-off weapon from a key uncrewed platform. General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9 Reaper uncrewed aircraft assigned to the US Air force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) have gained the capability to use the GBU-39B Small Diameter Bomb.

2026-05-22T00:55:07.820838-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   General Atomics   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

YFQ-42A returns to flight tests after software fix

By FlightGlobal: The collaborative combat aircraft was grounded for nearly one month after a crash. The General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) YFQ-42A collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) prototype has resumed test flights following a 7 April crash.

Also: Aviation Week, Air & Space Forces Mag, ga-asi.com, Defense One, Defense Daily, Seeking Alpha and 6 more
2026-05-21T21:10:33.287494-07:00