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
A400M Deliveries Proceed, but Tactical Capabilities Are Late
A schedule to add airdrop, paratrooping etc is being amended
Aircraft
Airstrikes Slow Over Iraq and Syria
Difficult targeting decisions cited; long campaign foreseen
Aircraft
Japan Moves Closer to Buying V-22s for Maritime Defense Upgrade
The country intends to acquire 17 tiltrotors to accompany the creation of an amphibious brigade.
Aircraft
New Types Selected for UK Flying Training
The Grob G120TP, Beechcraft T-6C and Embraer Phenom 100 will train future British military pilots.
Aircraft
OEMs Challenged in Asia by New Providers of Maritime Surveillance
Lesser known companies are making headway in Asia with lower-cost systems.
Aircraft
Raytheon UK Develops New ISR Solutions
The new products for mission management and analysis provide intuitive and lightweight user interfaces, according to the company.
Aircraft
Ukraine Has Lost 22 Aircraft to Rebel Forces
Official attributes loss rate to pilots’ lack of combat experience; insufficient training; and insufficient intelligence on the threat.
Aircraft
F-35 Unit Costs Coming Down, But Still Well Over $100 Million
Engine costs are excluded from totals given by program officials.
Aircraft
France Confirms a Dozen Airbus Tankers
The aircraft will replace 14 (K)C-135FR tankers in the French air force from 2018, at a rate of one or two per year.
Aircraft
Partners Finally Confirm Eurofighter AESA Radar Contract
Program officials are hoping that the move will boost the type’s flagging export prospects.
Aircraft
Brazil Plans To Buy More than 100 Gripens
The nation’s air force intends to eventually replace all three of its existing combat aircraft with the Swedish jet.
Aircraft
U.S. Air Force Advances T-X Program
The service plans to spend $503 million on the jet trainer over the next five years.
Aircraft
Brazil Confirms Gripen Fighter Contract
Saab will begin delivering 36 Gripen NG fighters to Brazil in 2019.
Aircraft
New Twist to U.S. C-27 Saga With Afghan Scrappings
The Alenia C-27A/J series has suffered a chequered procurement history in the U.S.
OSCE Monitoring Ukraine Truce with Camcopters
international monitoring body says the UAVs will complement observers on the ground
Aircraft
Embraer Rolls Out KC-390 Airlifter
Brazilian company says that speed and flexibility are key attributes.
Aircraft
Dassault Upgrades Early Naval Rafales
With the new central mission computer, the upgraded Rafales offer complete versatility, according to manufacturer Dassault.
Long Air War Over Iraq, Syria Foreseen
Several more nations have joined the coalition. The U.S. and most Western allies have ruled out the deployment of ground troops.
Aircraft
U.S. Struggles With Networking Issues, Including 5th to 4th Gen
The next generation of aircraft must be able to interface with the current generation to prosecute modern air campaigns.
Aircraft
Sikorsky Touts Raider at Rollout Ceremony
The company is proposing the Raider as a replacement for the U.S. Army's fleet of OH-58D Kiowa Warriors.
Aircraft
AirTanker Completes Provision of ‘Core’ Fleet to RAF
The company has already trained 27 of the 30 planned crews.
Aircraft
Airborne Directed Energy Technology Maturing in the U.S.
The technology is ready to weaponize, according to a speaker at the recent Air Force Association Conference.
Aircraft
ISIS Airstrikes Include US F-22, Saudi F-15S Combat Debuts
The U.S. began striking targets in Iraq on August 7, and the effort to stem the advance of Islamic State and other terrorist groups has increased.
Engines
F135 Engine Failure Investigation Makes Progress
Pratt & Whitney has devised an interim fix and F-35s are flying agan, with borescope inspections mandated every three flying hours.
Aircraft
Boeing, Northrop Grumman Propose JStars Replacements
The U.S. Air Force has abandoned plans to re-engine the aging JStars platform.
Regulations and Government
U.S. Air Force Leaders Say Top Programs Safe From Sequestration
Air Force leadership expresses confidence that top-priority procurements are safe from possible budget threats.
Aircraft
Ruag and HISS Team To Offer EW Solutions
The companies plan to market and deliver turnkey electronic warfare solutions for airborne platforms.
Aircraft
Britain and Germany Are Still Upgrading the Tornado
Upgrades could continue on other British platforms after 2019 retirement; Germany plan to operate the aircraft at least through 2025.
Aircraft
Paramount Flies New Light-Attack Airplane in South Africa
The twin-boom, tandem-seat turboprop has been under development since 2011.
