Event   Europe   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

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

The Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) in Gloucestershire has been cancelled for 2026 following “extensive discussions” with the RAF and the U.S. Air Force over uncertainty about access to RAF Fairford amid ongoing Middle East operational deployments. Organisers cited airfield access constraints as the central issue and moved to address RIAT refunds.

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
Satellite   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Cybersecurity (Cyber Threats & Protection)  
Bloomberg • Anthony Capaccio

Ukraine Retook Territory After Hobbling Starlink, Pentagon Says

By Bloomberg: A Ukrainian offensive against Russia earlier this year retook about 400 square kilometers after thousands of portable Starlink internet terminals operated by Russian forces were deactivated, according to the US Defense Intelligence Agency.

2026-05-21T15:54:27.493477-07:00