Author: FlyMarshall Newsroom

RIGA, Latvia — NATO’s plans to strengthen deterrence along its eastern flank envision an “autonomous zone” where only unmanned systems operate, with linked sensors, drones and long-range fires to detect and target invading Russian forces at the start of a conflict, alliance officials said on the sidelines of military exercises in Latvia last week.Latvian troops tried out unmanned ground vehicles during the Crystal Arrow exercise as part of operational testing to integrate new technology into NATO’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative, inspired by lessons from Ukraine, said Brig. Gen. Chris Gent, deputy chief of staff transformation and integration at NATO Allied…

The first ATR turboprop aircraft to be fitted with the new HighLine all-business premium cabin was delivered to Malaysian airline Berjaya Air on May 19, 2026.  Launched publicly in 2024, HighLine is ATR’s line of premium and VIP interiors for its turboprop aircraft.   The Toulouse-based aircraft maker has devised a range of different configurations which aim to fill the gap between commercial and private aviation. The HighLine product is offered in different low-density configurations, including a hybrid option. This allows airlines to switch quickly between premium and conventional seats in response to changes in demand or commercial requirements.  Berjaya Air,…

VIENNA — Russia launched its largest nuclear exercises in years on Tuesday, mobilizing nearly 65,000 troops, over 200 missile launchers, 140 aircraft, 73 surface vessels and 13 submarines, including eight strategic nuclear submarines, in a three-day drill that runs through Thursday.The Russian Defense Ministry announced the maneuvers without prior public notice on May 19, framing them as a rehearsal for “the preparation and use of nuclear forces in the event of a threat of aggression.” The exercises involve the Strategic Missile Forces, the Northern and Pacific Fleets, Long-Range Aviation Command, and units from the Leningrad and Central Military Districts, according…

Ring terminals are used in many electrical systems. You can find them in automotive wiring harnesses, marine equipment, aircraft controls and more. As their name suggests, ring terminals feature a ring-shaped piece conductor that “terminates” the end of a wire. You can crimp a ring terminal onto the end of a wire. You can then drive a screw through center of the terminal to secure it to the equipment. While the conductive ring section often gets the most attention, insulation plays an important role in ring terminals. Here’s everything you need to know about the different types of insulation for…

Lithuania and Latvia activated mobile air danger warnings in their eastern districts on the morning of May 20, 2026, after military radar detected tracks with characteristics of unmanned aircraft near the two countries’ borders. The Lithuanian alert was lifted at 11:00 local time, while Latvia’s had been declared over earlier in the morning. NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission had been activated in response, the Lithuanian Armed Forces said in a statement. Lithuania has issued an air alert in parts of the country after a suspected drone approaching from Belarus was detected near the border. NATO Baltic Air Policing has been…

ROME — Italy is to buy six Airbus A330 MRTT multi-role tanker transport aircraft in a €1.4 billion ($1.6 billion) deal after 15 years of flying Boeing tankers.The purchase, which was announced by the European Union’s TED public procurement platform, envisages ten years of logistic support and indicates the A330 was the only aircraft in the bidding.The deal marks a shift from Boeing to Airbus for the Italian Air Force, which flies four Boeing 767-based tanker aircraft which entered service from 2011.In 2021 Italy announced plans to upgrade its B-767 tankers and purchase two more, but the following year Rome…

Airbus Defence and Space announced on May 20, 2026 that it will open a second A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) conversion center at its San Pablo facility in Seville by the end of 2027, citing a sustained increase in global demand for tanker aircraft. The new line will complement the existing conversion facility in Getafe, near Madrid, and lift Airbus’s combined annual conversion rate from five to seven aircraft. The Seville site will also perform Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) work and upgrades on in-service A330 MRTTs, broadening the company’s tanker support footprint. Airbus said it would carry out…

US low-cost carriers are moving to snap up pieces of Spirit Airlines’ network after the carrier ceased operations on May 2, 2026, leaving gaps in several vacation and price-sensitive markets. JetBlue, Breeze Airways, Frontier Airlines and Allegiant Air are among the carriers adding service, targeting former Spirit routes, passengers and airport access as the industry adjusts to the sudden loss of one of the country’s largest ultra-low-cost airlines. JetBlue announced plans to add 11 destinations from Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, one of Spirit’s largest bases, and introduced a status match for eligible Spirit Free Spirit Silver and Gold members. The…

The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has released a video showing the left engine and pylon separating from the UPS Boeing MD-11F that crashed shortly after takeoff from Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport in November 2025. The video was released as part of the NTSB’s two-day investigative hearing into the November 4, 2025, crash of UPS Flight 2976. The cargo aircraft was operating from Louisville to Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu when it crashed moments after lifting off. The crash killed 15 people, including three crew members and 12 people on the ground. The hearing is examining reports…

GE Aerospace has received a US Air Force contract to complete the preliminary design review of the GE426 engine, a new propulsion system being developed for uncrewed autonomous combat aircraft. The engine supports the Air Force’s medium-thrust Autonomous Collaborative Platform effort. GE said the GE426 is being designed for performance, affordability and manufacturability, with a focus on autonomous combat aircraft designed to operate collaboratively. The company did not disclose the value of the contract. Under the award, GE Aerospace will advance the GE426 prototype through the preliminary design review stage and refine the engine’s capability, producibility and cost against Air…