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
X-47B Naval UCAV Makes Historic First Flight
The first flight of the Northrop Grumman X-47B demonstrator for the U.S.
Aero India: Indian Air Force May Be Nearing a Decision on Fighter
A decision in the long-running Indian medium multi-role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition could come as early as September, according to Air Chief Marsha
Aero India: Industry Eyes Indian Transport, AEW, Tanker and Fighter Prospects
The recent Aero India show was a magnet for many international aerospace companies that are chasing various Indian procurements.
Aircraft
AIN Blog: The Airborne Intelligence Conundrum
When it comes to defense coverage, AIN naturally focuses on airborne systems and platforms, including some very high-tech stuff, of course.
Aircraft
UK Chinook Upgrade Flies, More Details Emerge
Boeing announced the first flight of an upgraded 
Aircraft
Marshall Pursues Its Core C-130 Hercules Business
Marshall Aerospace took steps to boost the future of its core business: C-130 Hercules maintenance and support.
Aircraft
Airbus Sees Progress, and a Setback, for A330MRTT
Airbus Military has flight-tested the fuselage refueling unit (FRU) of the
Aircraft
F-35 Program Restructured Again as the STOVL Version Faces the Axe
Lockheed Martin has two years to fix problems with the F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) version of the Joint Strike Fighter, or it will b
Aircraft
China’s New Fighter Prompts Renewed F-16 Plea from Taiwan
Taiwanese president Ma Ying-Jeou renewed his nation’s plea to the U.S.
Aircraft
BAE Systems Cancels Sale of Avionics Business, Cuts UK Jobs
BAE Systems abandoned plans to sell most of its remaining avionics capabilities.
Aircraft
Brazil Buys UAVs and Upgrades AMX, but Defers Fighter Choice
The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) made two defense procurement decisions, but deferred the long-pending choice of a new combat aircraft.
AIN Blog: Is the U.S. Recycling Saudi Petrodollars into Weapons Sales?
I have long suspected that the main U.S.
Aircraft
F-35 Program Restructured Again as the STOVL Version Faces the Axe
Lockheed Martin has two years to fix problems with the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter, or it will be cancelled.
Aircraft
Marshall Aerospace Completes Tristar Upgrade
Marshall Aerospace has completed development of an avionics upgrade for the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) fleet of nine Lockheed Tristar tanker-transports.
Aircraft
Eurocopter Makes Progress with NH-90, Tiger and X3
Eurocopter ended 2010 with a flurry of progress announcements, some of which related to previously delayed military programs in Europe.
Aircraft
Yet More King Airs for U.S. Recon Operations over Afghanistan
Boeing has won the enhanced medium-altitude reconnaissance and surveillance systems (EMARSS) competition to supply low/medium-altitude airborne reconnaissa
Aircraft
U.S. Tanker Decision Still Awaited
The Pentagon’s decision in the third round of the KC-X competition is now expected next month.
Aircraft
Unmanned Helos Make Rapid Progress in the U.S.
Remotely controlled helicopters could be delivering cargo to U.S.
Aircraft
Ceremony Marks UK Retirement of Harriers
Sixteen Harrier GR.7/9 V/STOL (vertical and/or short take-off and landing) jets flew over the UK Midlands Wednesday to mark the type’s retirement from Brit
Aircraft
Sikorsky Makes Progress with International S-70i
PZL-Mielec has flown the second Sikorsky S-70i
Aircraft
Embraer Sells Super Tucanos to Indonesia
Embraer has sold eight Super Tucano turboprops to the Indonesian air force.
Aircraft
A400M Flight Tests–and Negotiations–Continue
EADS announced “the conclusion” of talks to amend the
Aircraft
Europeans Struggle To Match American Defense Clout in the Middle East
European manufacturers of major defense equipment face a struggle to secure new contracts in the Middle East against American competition, as evidenced by
Aircraft
Anglo-French Agreement is a Game-changer for European UAVs
France and the UK will jointly develop a new medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV that could enter service in 2015.
Aircraft
France and UK To Combine Defense Resources
France and the UK signed a wide-ranging defense pact with far-reaching consequences for operational and industrial policy.
Aircraft
UK To Cut F-35s, Drop Nimrod and Sentinel
The UK is to cut its planned acquisition of the F-35 Joint by up to two-thirds, switch versions and delay introduction of the aircraft.
Aircraft
Super Galaxy Now in Service
After four years of flight tests, the first upgraded Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy was redelivered to the U.S.
Engines
GE To Power Mk II Verson of Indian Light Combat Aircraft
India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) selected the General Electric F414 turbofan engine to power the second batch of
