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

Space Force names Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo permanent SDA director and Portfolio Acquisition Executive for missile warning/tracking

Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo, after eight months as acting director, has been named permanent leader of the Space Development Agency (SDA) and assigned as the Space Force’s new Portfolio Acquisition Executive for missile warning and tracking programs. The dual role formalizes SDA’s alignment with Space Force’s missile-defense acquisition priorities.

Also: Air & Space Forces Mag
2026-05-19T13:25:44.979344-07:00
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: defence-blog.com and defence-industry.eu
2026-05-19T05:11:14.081754-07:00
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.

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
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
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
Europe   Military Aircraft Procurement   Orders   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors   Airbus  
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
2026-05-19T09:10:26.446797-07:00