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
BAE Systems Reports Typhoon Saudi, E-scan Radar Status
BAE Systems plans to deliver 12 Typhoons to Saudi Arabia this year
Aircraft
Interest Grows in Aurora’s Optionally Piloted Centaur
The U.S. company is now promoting the aircraft in Europe for low-cost airborne sensing.
Elbit Delivers Big New Display for F-16 Upgrade
Replacing old electro-mechanical instruments, the new display improves the presentation of data and reduces pilot workload.
Egypt, Brazil Boost C295 Order Book for Airbus
Company inked deals for 11 more of the transports, on which winglets will soon be an option.
Aircraft
Britten-Norman Touts Defender 4000 for ISR Role
BN-2 Islander and Defender twin turboprops could provide an affordable and entry-level ISR option, says their manufacturer.
Swedes Snub Danish Search for F-35 Alternative
The Boeing F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Eurofighter Typhoon are the other contenders in Denmark.
Aircraft
Rival F-16 Upgrades Proceed; Iraq Delivery May Not
Lockheed Martin and BAE Systems are reworking aircraft for Taiwan and Korea.
British Carrier Remains Controversial
The total forecast cost for Britain's new aircraft carrier threatens to sink other UK defense projects.
Boeing P-8 May Have Inside Track in UK, Eventually
Boeing and the U.S. Navy brought the P-8A Poseidon to Farnborough, complete with a part-British crew.
Avionics
Transatlantic Tie-Up to Boost Fighter Recce
Selex will adapt its Seaspray 7500 radar to fit in the center third of the pod that houses the UTC Aerospace Systems DB-110 on fighter aircraft.
Thundering Success for Taranis UCAV Demonstrator
Flight tests of the all-British UCAV demonstrator at 'secret' Australian location described
Czech L-39 Trainer To Be Revamped
Changes from the original version include a new wet wing, lighter structure, single-piece canopy, and modern cockpit.
BAE Systems Reveals New Combat Helmet and ‘Lite’ HUDs
BAE to provide Striker helmet, using NVGs, after development problems with the Elbit Systems/Rockwell Collins HMD that is integral to the F-35 cockpit.
Next-gen Missile To Go On AW159 Wildcat Helicopter
The light version of the FASGW is designed to counter fast-attack craft in littoral waters, while the heavy version is a longer-range anti-ship missile.
Diamonds Are Forever, With New Noses And Now Radar
Diamond developed the spinning AESA radar in the past 12 months, because conventional radar houses could offer only a two-year lead time.
Britain and France Launch UCAV Feasibility Study
“We discussed this from the outset, but agreed that a bilateral partnership was the most pragmatic way to get things done quickly and effectively.”
Aircraft
F-35 at Farnborough: Everything Except The Jet
Show-goers can find F-35 models, parts and simulators on display, but the four F-35Bs slated to fly to the UK remain grounded at NAS Patuxent River.
Aircraft
Hybrid Air Vehicles Aim For A Buoyant Future
Hybrid air vehicles could finally fulfill the promise once offered by airships.
Aircraft
Roger Munk, R.I.P.
Airship pioneer led a series of British companies specializing in lighter-than-air technology for nearly 40 years.
Aircraft
The Road Not Needed-By The Skunk Works
Only Lockheed Martin (LM) has progressed beyond the drawing board in the arena of airship vehicles.
Aircraft
THE AEROSCRAFT
Only Lockheed Martin (LM) has progressed beyond the drawing board in the arena of airship vehicles.
Red Arrows Mark Birthday With Rare Formation
The Red Arrows were captured with leaders of the Breitling Jet Team, Frecce Tricolore, Patrouille de France and Patrouille Suisse.
Aircraft
F-35’s Big Farnborough Debut In Doubt
Work is continuing “night and day” to return the F-35 to flight as operating agency say it is “continuing the effort to debut in the UK.”
Aircraft
Remote Control Is How The British Fly the Armed Reaper UAV
The UK RAF is proud of its Reaper capabilities and confident its rules of engagement in Afghanistan comply with the law and are adhered to.
Aircraft
Saab Masters Low-Cost Weapons Integration
The Saab Gripen has proved to be a good test bed for missiles, as Saab explains how it manages to keep costs under control.
