Europe   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Airbus  
FlightGlobal • Craig Hoyle

Airbus to add Seville A330 MRTT conversion capacity, raising output to seven aircraft per year by end-2027

Airbus Defence and Space will open a second A330 MRTT conversion centre at its San Pablo plant in Seville by end-2027, increasing annual tanker output from five to seven aircraft. The added line is intended to expand Airbus’ ability to capture additional A330 MRTT sales amid rising global demand.

Also: AeroTime and aviation-defence-universe.com
2026-05-19T23:10:34.642782-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
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FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

Northrop’s YFQ-48A CCA prototype undergoes taxi tests

By FlightGlobal: YFQ-48A could be pitched for future US Air Force collaborative combat aircraft competitions. The Northrop Grumman YFQ-48A Talon Blue collaborative combat aircraft prototype has conducted taxi tests, with the company also named a preferred provider under the US Department of War’s Drone Dominance effort.

2026-05-20T00:25:17.979038-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Boeing  
FlightGlobal • Greg Waldron

MQ-25A Stingray refueller poised for low-rate initial production

By FlightGlobal: The MQ-25 will provide an uncrewed air-to-air refuelling capability for US Navy carrier air wings. The Boeing MQ-25A Stingray uncrewed naval refuelling aircraft has secured Milestone C approval, setting the stage for low-rate initial production (LRIP).

Also: aviation-defence-universe.com
2026-05-19T21:55:46.814816-07:00
Space Force   Leadership   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Space Defense & Militarization  
Defense Scoop • Mikayla Easley

Sandhoo named Space Development Agency director, PAE for missile warning and tracking

By Defense Scoop: Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo has officially been named as director of the Space Development Agency and the new portfolio acquisition executive for Space Force’s missile warning and tracking programs, the agency announced Tuesday.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and Defense Daily
2026-05-19T13:25:44.979344-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   AI   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  
Aviation Week • Steve Trimble

GE Reveals Small Turbofan Project For CCA Market

By Aviation Week: GE Aerospace on May 19 revealed a new small turbofan design optimized for the cost profile of the emerging collaborative combat aircraft market.

Also: GE Aerospace, defence-blog.com, mrobusinesstoday.com and defence-industry.eu
2026-05-19T05:11:14.081754-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
defence-blog.com • Dylan Malyasov

Russia flies rebuilt Su-57 prototype in two-seat configuration

By defence-blog.com: Key Points Russia's United Aircraft Corporation flew the two-seat Su-57 prototype for the first time on May 19, with test pilot Sergei Bogdan at the controls, days after ground taxi runs were first reported.

Also: FlightGlobal
2026-05-19T11:25:23.543577-07:00
Military Aircraft Procurement   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Defense Policy  
FlightGlobal • Ryan Finnerty

AFSOC unveils rapid deployment capability for OA-1K

By FlightGlobal: US Air Force Special Operations Command has expanded the scope of its Skyraider II close air support aircraft to include rapid disassembly, loading into transport aircraft, reassembly and deployment.

2026-05-19T09:54:37.145977-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus   Airbus A330  
Breaking Defense • Elisabeth Gosselin-Malo

Italy buying six Airbus-made A330 MRRT tankers, a $1.6B value

By Breaking Defense: Rome initially announced its intention to acquire the Boeing-made KC-46 Pegasus tankers in 2022.

Also: Aviation Week, avionslegendaires.net and ted.europa.eu
2026-05-19T09:10:26.446797-07:00