Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

PARIS — Defense-technology startups had their best funding year ever in 2025, with investors keen to finance autonomous systems and artificial intelligence for the battlefield, according to data from business-intelligence providers that track venture capital funding.The value of venture capital deals in defense technology jumped to a record $49.1 billion last year from $27.2 billion a year earlier, according to data compiled by PitchBook and shared with Defense News. The PitchBook data includes startups that provide dual-use technology, including companies whose primary markets are civilian but also have defense applications.Equity funding for defense technology startups more than doubled to $17.9…

When you’re booking a revenue ticket on an airline (as opposed to redeeming miles), are you better off booking directly with that airline, or through an online travel agency? In this post, I’d like to address that topic, since the answer isn’t obvious to most. For those not familiar with online travel agencies (often referred to as “OTAs”), these are websites like Expedia and Orbitz, which let you book flights, hotels, rental cars, and more. Let me start with a couple of things upfront that should be the same regardless of whether you book directly with an airline or through…

Singapore’s Changi Airport (SIN) announced that it has launched its first fleet of fully driverless autonomous tractors for airside operations following nearly a year of testing that covered more than 5,000 test trips. The deployment, officiated by Senior Minister of State for Transport Sun Xueling, represents a significant step in the airport’s push toward automation and marks Singapore’s latest effort to integrate autonomous technology into airport operations. Current operations and technology Two autonomous tractors are now operating in live service, transferring passenger baggage between Terminal 1 and Terminal 4’s baggage handling areas, according to Changi Airport Group (CAG). Each tractor…

A public and increasingly personal feud has erupted between Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leary and Elon Musk after the airline ruled out installing Starlink in-flight internet across its fleet.  O’Leary told Reuters that Ryanair would not adopt Starlink, citing the cost and aerodynamic drag associated with the required antennas. He said the added drag would increase fuel burn and could cost the airline between $200 million and $250 million annually, which he translated to roughly an extra dollar per passenger.  The Ryanair chief also questioned passenger demand, noting that the airline’s average flight lasts about an hour. In his view, few customers would be willing to pay for onboard…

The United States has quietly completed its withdrawal from al-Asad air base in Iraq’s Anbar Province, the Iraq Defense Ministry said Saturday, bringing to a close more than two decades of American military presence in the western part of the country.Iraqi Army Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Abdul Amir Rashid Yarallah oversaw the transfer of responsibilities at the base, according to the Defense Ministry. U.S. Central Command did not immediately respond to a request for comment regarding the handover.The drawdown follows an agreement reached in September 2024 between Washington and Baghdad to shutter the U.S.-led military coalition that had long…

We recently wrapped up a trip to Deer Valley, Utah. We traveled with our older son, Miles, as it was his first time “skiing,” so we enrolled him in ski school. In a previous installment, I reviewed the Grand Hyatt Deer Valley, where we spent the first three nights. In this post, I’d like to review Goldener Hirsch Deer Valley, an Auberge Collection property, where we spent the next three nights. Auberge Collection is a growing luxury hotel group, and believe it or not, this was my first time staying at one of the brand’s properties, and I always enjoy…

Two MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopters conducted their first operational Minuteman III ICBM convoy security mission to and from a launch facility over 100 miles away from Malmstrom AFB. The U.S. Air Force has announced that the MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter is now being employed operationally by the Air Force Global Strike Command for nuclear security operations. On Jan. 8, 2026, two MH-139s conducted their first operational Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) convoy security mission. Convoy Security Mission The helicopters, assigned to the 40th Helicopter Squadron, escorted a column of missile maintenance and armored security vehicles to and from a…

American Airlines’ AAdvantage program has just rolled out some status buy up offers, for those who are short of requalifying for status. As a reminder, with American AAdvantage’s Loyalty Points system, the carrier doesn’t use the calendar year for status qualification, but rather status is earned between the beginning of March and the end of February of the following year (and status is then valid through the end of March of the year after that). American’s current elite year ends on February 28, 2026, so we’re seeing buy up offers for those who want to extend their status through March…

Developed by Hughes through the F-111 program, the AWG-9, mated with the AIM-54 Phoenix, made the Grumman F-14 Tomcat the most deadly fleet defense weapon of its time. Produced by Hughes Aircraft Company and originally conceived through the F-111 program, the Air Weapons Group Nine (AWG-9) avionic system found a home in the Grumman F-14 Tomcat variable-geometry twin-engine all-weather interceptor/air-superiority fighter and when mated with the AIM-54 Phoenix Air-to-Air missile (AAM), the Tomcat was the most deadly fleet defense weapon of its time. A Powerful Radar With a Cold War era idea dating back to the ill-fated Douglas F6D Missileer…

A Turkish Airlines flight made an emergency landing in Barcelona after a passenger created a personal Wi-Fi hotspot named “I have a bomb,” triggering a security response and a thorough aircraft search by Spanish authorities.  The incident occurred on January 15, 2026, as Flight TK1853 was approaching Barcelona-El Prat Airport following a scheduled flight from Istanbul. According to airline officials, the hotspot name was detected onboard, prompting the flight crew to treat the message as a potential bomb threat.  As a precaution, the aircraft was diverted and escorted to a designated area of the airport upon landing. Spanish security forces conducted a full inspection of the aircraft, passenger cabin,…