Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

The DragonFire system successfully shot down drones travelling at up to 650km/h at a range in Scotland, just as a £316m contract for its deployment on a Type 45 destroyer by 2027 was awarded. The DragonFire laser directed energy weapon (LDEW) has been in development by a consortium of companies and agencies since at least 2017, when it was first unveiled at the Defence & Security Equipment International (DSEI) exhibition in London. Initial testing was pushed back by technical challenges, as well as the COVID-19 pandemic, but the onset of the full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine gave the requirement for…

It is no secret that pilot salaries have risen sharply in recent years. As the pilot shortage deepened through the late 2010s, demand for qualified aviators surged, and with it, compensation. Even with financial incentives improving, the motivation for many pilots still comes from a genuine love of flying rather than the promise of higher earnings. When most people picture an experienced pilot, they think of the captain at the front of a commercial airliner. However, experience extends far beyond airline cockpits. A pilot can log thousands of hours behind the yoke and still be unable to earn a cent…

The U.S. Marine Corps will field the ATAWS on its F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fleet starting in early 2026. The Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division has announced on Nov. 19, 2025, that the U.S. Marine Corps F/A-18 Legacy Hornet fleet will soon receive the Automatic Terrain Awareness and Warning System (ATAWS). The certification of the new system is the result of a joint test program by the “Dust Devils” of Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (VX) 31 at Naval Air Warfare Center Weapons Division, in partnership with the “Salty Dogs” of VX-23 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Maryland. Long-Awaited…

I hope everyone is having a nice weekend so far! I’m just kicking off the return portion of my review trip, so I look forward to sharing my thoughts on Thai Airways’ 787, SWISS’ A350, and more. I’m also excited to get back home for the holidays! On the points & travel front, this week United’s CEO had some controversial comments about American, FlyDubai announced massive expansion plans, Emirates ordered even more Boeing 777Xs, Air Canada Rouge announced its Boeing 737 MAX plans, JetBlue unveiled two new transatlantic routes, and more. With that out of the way, here’s a recap…

The United States Air Force operates a number of old aircraft types. That said, it is important to keep in mind that there is a difference between old aircraft types and old airframes. For example, the tanker workhorse, the KC-135 Stratotanker, has some of its very first airframes in service that are now 68 years old. On the other hand, most of the old Lockheed C-130 Hercules airframes have been retired, but the type remains in production as the upgraded C-130J Super Hercules. This means that while the type is one of the oldest in the USAF, some of the…

Brazilian aerospace conglomerate Embraer today announced that it has completed its C-390 Millennium contract with the Hungarian Air Force, handing over a second multi-mission airlifter during a ceremony at Kecskemet Air Base on 21 November 2025. This delivery makes Hungary the first global customer to receive all C-390s on its order book, and it cements the carrier as the model’s second NATO operator. The new aircraft joins the first model, which was delivered to the nation last year and entered service in the final months of 2024. Together, this pair of versatile aircraft gives Hungary a modern and highly available…

Central Asian carrier Uzbekistan Airways has signed two letters of intent with CALC and ICBC Financial Leasing (Chinese aircraft lessors), which will see the airline gain an additional six Airbus A321-200N, supporting the airline’s continued growth and expansion. The letters of intent see the agreement with China Aircraft Leasing Group Holdings Limited (CALC) to lease four units, which overall sees the airline’s commitment with CALC rise to six aircraft. This is complemented by two A321-200N to be leased from ICBC Aircraft Leasing. These aircraft are expected to be delivered between 2027 and 2028. Dry-Lease Agreements Credit: Uzbekistan Airways These agreements will…

The U.S. is drafting a proposal that includes weighing possible military engagement in Nigeria, a senior State Department official said this week. The discussion comes weeks after President Donald Trump threatened military action in Africa’s most populous country over the alleged persecution of Christians by Islamic insurgent groups. The Trump administration may also choose to escalate its pressure campaign by less dramatic means, including through imposing sanctions, Jonathan Pratt, a senior bureau official for African Affairs at the State Department, testified to the House Foreign Affairs Committee. The White House casts its overall objective as safeguarding religious liberties. “The Trump…

When the longest government shutdown in United States history ground most of Washington DC to a halt, it also significantly complicated global air travel. At many major airports, Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers were required to work without pay. Unsurprisingly, call-outs spiked, tempers flared, and security lines across the United States stretched for hours, and the TSA struggled to keep up with record passenger volumes. Nonetheless, there are a few major airports that were almost untouched by this chaos. At San Francisco International Airport (SFO), for example, checkpoint waits were largely normal, even as nearby hubs wrestled with severe disruptions.…

Ryanair has seen two of its landing slots at Eindhoven Airport (EIN) revoked as too many of its flights were arriving late. In a rare move, the Dutch slot regulator has removed the Irish low-cost carrier’s rights to these slots during the 2026 summer season, stating that its flights have been arriving an hour late on average. The airline has hit back at the decision and submitted appeals to the European Commission and local courts, arguing that it is the most punctual carrier in Europe and is being unfairly penalized. Eindhoven Airport Revokes Ryanair Slots Over Late Arrivals Credit: Shutterstock As…