Space Force   Leadership   Missile Systems & Strategic Weapons   Space Defense & Militarization  
Defense Scoop • Mikayla Easley

Space Force makes Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo SDA director and assigns Missile Warning/Tracking PAE portfolio

Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo has been named permanent director of the Space Development Agency effective May 11, ending his acting tenure that began last September. In parallel, he becomes the Portfolio Acquisition Executive for Space Force missile warning and tracking programs, broadening oversight across SDA and the new mission acquisition portfolio.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag and Defense Daily
2026-05-19T13:25:44.979344-07:00
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Military Aircraft Procurement   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
UAV Development & Drone Programs   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 and defence-industry.eu
2026-05-19T05:11:14.081754-07:00
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
UAV Development & Drone Programs   Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aviation Safety & Regulation   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact  
AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

NATO fighter shoots down drone over Estonian airspace

By AeroTime: A Baltic Air Policing fighter shot down a probable Ukrainian drone over Lake Võrtsjärv on May 19, days after a similar drone was destroyed in Lithuania.

Also: news.err.ee, DefenseNews.com, Aviation Week, defence-blog.com, Associated Press, The Independent and 6 more
2026-05-19T04:09:20.248562-07:00
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 and ted.europa.eu
2026-05-19T09:10:26.446797-07:00
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Embraer  
Air Data News • Ricardo Meier

First Czech Air Force KC-390 completes maiden flight in Brazil

By Air Data News: Prague ordered two Embraer aircraft configured for transport, refueling and aerial first Embraer KC-390 Millennium destined for the Czech Air Force has completed its maiden flight in Brazil, according to a video released by the Czech government and produced by the Brazilian manufacturer.

2026-05-19T10:40:19.832520-07:00
Satellite   Space Policy & International Cooperation   Space Defense & Militarization   Geopolitical Developments & Conflict Impact   Export Controls & Trade Compliance  
Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

Ukraine's UASAT 'Starlink-lite' constellation, built by GomSpace and Stetman LLC, will need EU funding to move forward

By Space Intel Report: LA PLATA, Maryland — A future “Starlink-lite” constellation of broadband satellites for Ukraine’s government is relying on a new European Union effort with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense to provide 140 million euros ($163 million) in guarantees and 21 million euros in grants under the EU’s Ukraine Investment.

2026-05-19T11:28:37.680935-07:00