Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

Long-range precision-guided missiles will become a new attack capability for U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper helicopters by 2027, the U.S. Navy announced Friday.The Navy awarded an $86.2 million contract to L3Harris Technologies that will see the company’s Red Wolf missile systems be produced for the Marine Corps’ Precision Attack Strike Munition program, according to a Naval Air Systems Command release.The missiles, plus training and support materials, are to be provided by the end of fiscal 2027. The systems will enable Marine attack helicopters flying at low altitudes to strike maritime targets with both kinetic and nonkinetic effects from across long…

A US F‑35C Lightning II assigned to the Carrier Air Wing 9 shot down an Iranian Shahed-139 unmanned aerial vehicle as it approached the USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN‑72) in the Arabian Sea on Tuesday, military officials said, in an incident that highlighted ongoing tensions in the Middle East.   According to US Central Command, the F-35C engaged the drone after it continued toward the aircraft carrier “with unclear intent,” despite efforts to deter it. The carrier, operating about 500 miles off Iran’s southern coast, was transiting international waters at the time.   “An F-35C fighter jet from Abraham Lincoln shot down the Iranian drone in…

American Airlines recently introduced its new Airbus A321XLRs, which feature all-new cabins. These are supposed to be an exciting aspect of American’s attempt to move upmarket and better compete, as these planes will be used in lucrative markets, including on transcontinental flights and across the Atlantic.Well, I just flew American’s A321XLR Flagship Suite business class from New York (JFK) to Los Angeles (LAX), and oh my, I don’t even know where to begin. While I’ve praised American’s new Boeing 787-9Ps and think they’re a great step in the right direction, these A321XLRs feel like they were designed in a board…

18 years ago today (on February 4, 2008), I launched OMAAT, and published my first post. I want to take a moment to express my gratitude to all OMAAT readers, because I wouldn’t be here without you. I also can’t believe how time flies, and that it has already been 18 years… I guess the blog is now officially “legal!” Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m not writing this post because I’m looking for any congratulations or recognition (I’m the same way about birthdays). But the reality is that this isn’t about me, it’s about all the awesome members…

A partial US government shutdown that began on January 31, 2026, and briefly stalled operations for parts of the federal government ended on February 3, averting further disruptions to air traffic control (ATC) and the broader aviation system.  Congress approved a $1.2 trillion spending package that funds most federal agencies through September 30, 2026, and President Donald Trump swiftly signed the legislation, reopening the government after three days of lapses in appropriations. The deal passed the House by a narrow 217-214 vote and had cleared the Senate before the shutdown took effect.   The partial shutdown had left the Federal Aviation Administration operating under contingency plans, as it furloughed more than 10,000 FAA staff, including administrative, inspection,…

In 2024, Cathay Pacific announced plans to introduce a new regional business class product. The carrier’s current regional business class seat isn’t terribly competitive, but we’ve known that the airline wants to introduce flat beds. There’s now an exciting update, as the new seat has been unveiled (thanks to Mike O. for flagging this). Cathay Pacific’s new Aria Studio regional business class Cathay Pacific intends to introduce a new regional business class product, which will be branded as the Aria Studio (as a reminder, Cathay Pacific’s new long haul business class is known as the Aria Suite, so that’s spiffy…

An emergency was declared on board a Turkish Airlines flight from Kathmandu to Istanbul on February 4, 2026, after a fire broke out in its right engine mid-air, according to India’s Ministry of Civil Aviation. According to information from Flightradar24, flight TK727 took off from Kathmandu (KTM) at 13:28 local time on February 4, 2026, on a scheduled route to Istanbul (IST). The aircraft, an Airbus A330-303 with the registration TC-LNG, was set to cover a distance of 5,317 kilometers with an average flight duration of 7 hours and 44 minutes. However, shortly after takeoff, the flight changed its planned…

SINGAPORE — Hot on the heels of a significant contract from the Singapore Army, ST Engineering was highlighting its sophisticated Terrex s5 8×8 armored vehicle at Singapore Airshow 2026, held Feb. 3-8. The contract, worth an undisclosed amount and announced on Jan. 26, will see the Singapore Army adopt the Titan 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle — or IFV — which is based on ST Engineering’s 35-ton Terrex s5. Working with Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Defence Science and Technology Agency, ST Engineering is customizing the Terrex s5 with “additional capabilities.” Deliveries will commence in 2028. MINDEF stated the Titan…

For the next portion of my Iceland to The Residence via Cambodia trip, it was time to fly Air India’s Airbus A350-900 business class on the 9hr10min flight from London (LHR) to Delhi (DEL). I can’t even say how excited I was about this flight — Air India has obviously been trying to reinvent itself since being privatized several years ago, but it has been a very slow process. My long haul flight was operated by one of the carrier’s new A350s, which the airline is very proud of. I was familiar with the hard product (since I had flown it…

The United States (US) looks set to approve a $3 billion agreement to support Saudi Arabia’s in-service F-15 fighter fleet, following a request from its Gulf ally. On February 4, 2026, the US State Department approved a sustainment package for the Royal Saudi Air Force’s F-15s, while the Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress. According to the State Department, Saudi Arabia has requested the purchase of non-major defense equipment items, with the estimated cost placed around $3 billion. The agreement includes spares and repair parts, consumables and accessories, repair and return support, ground and personnel equipment,…