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
C-MAC preaches to defense firms value of commercial availability
According to a leading supplier of advanced microelectronics, design engineers in the defense industry should follow the automotive industry and be more wi
Engines
Rolls seeks cold cash for hot new core
One of the biggest problems for those designing the next generation of unmanned combat air vehicles (UCAVs) is how to define, choose and incorporate a powe
General Dynamics UK straddles transatlantic divide
As the British subsidiary of a leading American defense contractor majoring in sensitive communications and intelligence technologies, General Dynamics UK
SOSTAR cancellation a ‘shame’ for Europe
After completion of a ?90 million ($139 million) development program funded by five countries for nearly six years, Europe has developed significant new te
Aircraft
Amid calls for collaboration, UCAV efforts split in three
While European governments preach greater collaboration in defense research and development, three competing programs for uninhabited combat air vehicles (
L-3 shows latest, handheld ROVER terminal
L-3 Communications (Hall 4 Stand 18, Chalet A16-18) is showing a new, handheld version of the Rover device that has rapidly become essential kit for allied
Israel Expected To Choose T-6A Texan as Basic Trainer
Israel has requested the possible sale of 25 Hawker Beechcraft T-6A Texan II basic pilot training aircraft.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
U.S. Army Version of Predator UAV Rushed Into Service
Two General Atomics Sky Warrior UAVs have been operating in Iraq since late April, well ahead of the drone’s formal system design and development (SDD) sch
U.S. Senate Scrutinizes Defense Trade Treaties with Australia, UK
Treaties that aim to clear longstanding bureaucratic hurdles to the transfer of defense technology to Australia and the UK were sent to the U.S.
Special Forces Boost for Lockheed Martin C-130J
Production of the Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules has been assured for many years to come, thanks to the U.S.
UAE negotiating with France for Rafales
A second export customer for the French-made Dassault Rafale combat aircraft has emerged.
U.S. Air Force Heritage Flight Adds F-22 Raptor
A unique formation wowed the crowd at the recent Joint Services Open House at Andrews AFB in Maryland.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Raytheon Sells Predator Ground Station as UAV Problems Mount
Raytheon has sold a Predator Operations Center to the U.S.
Hawker Beechcraft Sells More T-6 Trainers to U.S. Air Force
Hawker Beechcraft has apparently overcome quality-control problems in the manufacture of the T-6A Texan II turboprop trainer.
“Never Again,” Says Airbus A400M Chief
The Airbus A400M military airlifter will be ceremonially rolled out on June 26, but the plan to make a first flight by “the end of the summer” seems overly
While business aviation grows in Asia, infrastructure lags
The prospects for business aviation in Asia are bright indeed, especially in the fast-developing economies of China and India, but huge improvements are ne
ABACE Returns to Hong Kong
The Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition (ABACE) will return to Hong Kong next year, increasing to a two-day format, February 3 and 4.
The Reno Air Races return, this time with jets ablazin’
The Reno Air Races were back on form this year as some 180,000 people trekked to Stead Field in mid-September to watch 128 aircraft compete in six race cla
Aircraft
Airbus A400M Won’t Fly Before September
The first Airbus A400M airlifter is set to be rolled out from the final assembly line at Seville, Spain, in June, but it won’t make its first flight until
Anglo-French Summit Agrees New Defense Cooperation
UK Prime Minister Gordon Brown and French President Nicholas Sarkozy reached some significant–though little noticed–defense arrangements when they met in L
Aircraft
F-22 Raptor To Make European Debut at Royal International Air Tattoo
The Lockheed Martin/U.S.
Aircraft
Saab Staging Rollouts for New AEW and Gripen Fighter Developments
Within the span of a month, Saab is rolling out two new developments with export potential.
Aircraft
War of Words over KC-X Continues; UK Seals Deal for Airbus Tankers
The intense debate over the U.S.
Aircraft
IAI brings ‘attitude’ to AEW
When Singapore revealed that it had chosen the Gulfstream G550 business jet as its new airborne early warning (AEW) platform last April, Northrop Grumman o
Saudi F-15s to get Smart Bombs
The Boeing joint direct attack munition (JDAM) is being released to Saudi Arabia, which could acquire as many of 900 of these tail kits that add “smart” GP
Aircraft
F-35 Costs are Rising, says GAO
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter will cost much more than currently predicted, and the expected cost per flight hour already exceeds that of the F-16.
Boeing Protests KC-X Tanker Award to Transatlantic Team
Boeing is formally protesting the U.S.
