Chris Pocock
Defense Correspondent
Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30 years. He is a British citizen and a graduate of the University of Cambridge. Chris worked in the air cargo business for ten years before becoming a full-time writer in 1983. He subsequently edited two air cargo journals before becoming AIN’s Defense Editor. He retired from that position in 2018, but still contributes to the publication. Chris has written extensively on aerial reconnaissance, including four books on the history of the U-2 spyplane. He also lectures on this and other topics related to intelligence-gathering in the Cold War.
Latest from Chris Pocock
Aircraft
UK Chooses Boeing P-8 for MPA Without Competition
British defense review restores maritime patrol aircraft capability, halts decline in combat aircraft fleet
Aircraft
Affordability Still A Major Issue for the F-35 Program
A multi-year buy could ease the trend in the US, UK and elsewhere to reduce numbers and stretch out production.
Saudis Request Huge Resupply of U.S. Air-To-Ground Weapons
Stocks have been depleted during airstrikes in Yemen, as well as in support of the U.S.-led air campaign over Iraq and Syria.
Aircraft
France Is the Latest C-130J Customer
A multi-year buy will keep the ‘Herk’ in production; the UK has been offered an MPA conversion
Defense Developments Dominate at Dubai
A summary with links to AIN’s comprehensive coverage of defense news from the Dubai Air Show
Aircraft
Arab Air Forces Switch Focus from Syria to Yemen
The US is making adjustments to the air campaign over Iraq and Syria – and helping out over Yemen
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Mini-UAS Maps Buildings In Dubai
Lockheed Martin demonstrated the Indago quadrotor UAS equipped with an EO/IR payload over Dubai.
Safety
ACES 5 Ejection Seat Offers A Safe Escape
UTC Aerospace Systems has upgraded the widely-used ACES II with new structure, stabilization and restraints
Aircraft
Big Role In Mideast For Big Airbus Tanker
The A330MRTT is enjoying sales and operational success
Raytheon Improves Life for Attack Controllers
Raytheon has completed demonstration of new hardware and software that vastly improves air-ground coordination.
Aircraft
Boeing Files Protest against LRS-B Award
A joint statement with Lockheed Martin alleges “fundamental flaws” in the selection process.
Aircraft
European Maritime Agency Demo for Portuguese UAV
Tekever’s AR5 Evolution will aid SAR and pollution monitoring during the two-year Project Rapsody.
Aircraft
Airbus Helicopters Extends Korean Partnership Again
The European company and KAI will jointly market, as well as develop, civil and military helicopters based on the H155.
Thales Claims Unique Pod Features
From AREOS to TALIOS, Thales Claims Unique pod features
Aircraft
Airbus Proves More A400M Capabilities, and Eyes Exports
But the airlifter can’t refuel helicopters, and negotiations with the partner nations over another contract amendment are continuing.
Faltering Campaign Against ISIL May Be Boosted
The U.S. may place more “boots on the ground’, included much-needed joint tactical air controllers.
Aircraft
Australian MRH-90 Helicopter Problems Aired
Like other operators of the NH-90 series helicopters, the Australians have experienced capability delays and maintainability problems.
Aircraft
GA-ASI Describes Progress Toward Certifying the Reaper
US company also reported service entry of the Extended Range Reaper, and a new US Army order for Gray Eagles
Aircraft
Spirit Offers Cost-Saving C-130H Upgrade
MRO eyes unfulfilled U.S. requirement. Meanwhile, Israel’s own C-130H upgrade takes to the air
Aircraft
More Sea Trials for F-35 Carrier Variant
Meanwhile, the U.S. Air Force describes its plan for IOC, and voices continuing concern about new logistics system
Aircraft
SAIC Offering Eclipse 550s for USAF Pilot Trainer Bid
Company would provide a fleet of Eclipse VLJs for no up-front investment by the U.S. government, at a fee-per-flight-hour.
Northrop Grumman and Selex Combine To Offer IRST Pod
The partners are eyeing a U.S. Air Force requirement that would equip F-15 fighter with a new air-air detection capability.
Aircraft
Source Selection 'Soon' for America’s New Stealthy Bomber
Details of the secretive Long Range Strike – Bomber (LRS-B) program are slowly emerging, as rival bidders await USAF’s choice.
AFA Conference Tackles Budget, Acquisition and Cyber Issues
U.S. Air Force leadership defends major programs and describes new operating concepts.
Aircraft
TR-X: The Skunk Works Studies A New High-Altitude Jet
Lockheed Martin is spending company funds on a U-2 replacement that could be multi-mission.
Aircraft
Lebanon May Get Armed Super Tucanos Despite Instability
Lebanon would be the second country to receive the Light Air Support (LAS) aircraft nominated by the U.S. to bolster security.
Aircraft
U-2 Pioneers Open-mission Systems for U.S. Air Force
Sixty years after its first flight, the fabled spyplane is the testbed for revolutionary plug-and-play technology.
Aircraft
Neuron Program Completes Stealth Test Flights
Pan-European UCAV demonstrator advances, while progress with the all-British equivalent remains unclear
Aircraft
F-35 Does International Refueling, Fires Internal Gatling Gun
Recent testing from Edwards AFB has included the first international air refueling, and the 25mm Gatling Gun
Rotorcraft
Turkish Army Using New Attack Helicopters While Maker Seeks Exports
Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) has delivered the first nine T129s; will stage demonstrations in Poland this weekend
