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

Space Force confirms Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo as SDA director and dual-role PAE for missile warning/tracking

After serving as acting director since last September, Gurpartap “GP” Sandhoo was named permanent director of the Space Development Agency effective May 11. The Space Force also assigned him a new dual portfolio acquisition executive role (PAE) overseeing SDA and Space Force missile warning and tracking programs.

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.

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
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
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)   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