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-weapons interface more complex than ever
In the era of “smart weapons” a lot can still go wrong, not the least at the interface between the combat aircraft and the missile or bomb.
BAE North America Is Big and Getting Bigger
BAE already derives 34 percent of its revenues from North America, where 27,000 employees produce an annual turnover of $5.6 billion.
The Active Stick
The Rochester, UK facility of BAE Systems has developed the world’s first control stick that tells a pilot, through feel, that the airplane is exceeding th
All Is Revealed Through Image Fusion
BAE Systems Platform Solutions claims leadership in developing a multispectral enhanced vision system that allows pilots to land in zero-zero visibility.
BAE looks to break U.S. technology barriers
BAE Systems has all but abandoned Europe.
Aircraft
Korean T-50 displays fast-jet credentials
The Korea Aerospace Industries/Lockheed Martin T-50 Golden Eagle could capture a large proportion of future world orders for advanced jet trainers.
Close air support is U.S. priority in Iraq, Afghanistan
The Dubai airshow is a benign environment.
Aircraft
Airbus may launch freighter version of A330-200 soon
Airbus expects to launch its long-delayed freighter version of the A330 by mid-year.
Aircraft
ST Aero wants to play in burgeoning UAV field
Singapore Technologies Aerospace is seeking local or overseas partners for unmanned systems development.
With RSAF’s F-16s, form follows function
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is showing its top-of-the-line F-16D Block 52+ fighter for the first time at Asian Aerospace, in the static park
China’s domestic cargo expected to soar
China’s red-hot air cargo export market is expected to cool somewhat this year, but domestic demand for new freighters is projected to take off.
S’pore takes the netcentric challenge
Significant local progress in network-centric military operations was reported here Monday at the C4I Asia conference by Singapore defense officials.
Asia/Pacific forces consider their AEW&C system options
With Singapore considering an E-2C replacement, and other regional air forces yet to buy their first airborne early warning & control (AEW&C) aircraft, yes
Gripen dealing for Thailand’s fighter contract
With a big, self-contained display outside Hall A here, Gripen International signals its determination to compete in Asia.
Eight JSF partners to be briefed next month
Briefings to the eight international partners in the Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) program on what role their industries can play in the massive F-35 producti
Aircraft
Aussies will need quick decision on C-17 buy
Australia is mulling the acquisition of four Boeing C-17s, but will probably have to make its mind up by the end of June.
RSAF’s F-15s shop far and wide for warfighter excellence
The Boeing F-15SG fighter recently selected by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will feature some of the avionics found on the F-15I version alre
Raytheon’s System of Elements
Raytheon has trademarked the system of elements concept, which was described to Aviation International News by Dean Cash of the company’s Network Ce
L-3 ComCept Has Made Data Fusion a Reality
In 1999, Operation Allied Force was a success, as Serbian forces were evicted from Kosovo.
ATC
Netcentric ops a test of wills and miracles
It would take a miracle–in fact, two miracles–for network-centric operations (NCO) to become a reality.
Aircraft
UAVs bring their own set of stealth challenges
Four decades after the first truly stealthy air vehicles were secretly flown in the U.S., the technology has matured and proliferated.
Aircraft
JSF Briefing Soothes the Nerves of Partner Nations
Program officials provided some assurance that the international partners won’t be burdened by U.S. restrictions on technology transfer.
Aircraft
Availability is the name of the game
British thinking on through-life management of military aircraft and systems is already way ahead of that of most countries.
Aircraft
UK wants UAV to tackle Taliban
The UK Ministry of Defence is preparing to issue an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) for an unmanned aerial surveillance system to help British troops
At long last, UK’s ASTOR takes a bow
Making its debut this week at the Farnborough International show, Raytheon’s Airborne Stand-off Radar (ASTOR) system will be delivered to the Royal Air For
Aircraft
V-22s hop The Pond (nearly) flawlessly
Last week’s transatlantic hop to Farnborough by two Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotors proved the long-range self-deployment capability of the revolutionar
Aircraft
JSF is the New Lightning
The F-35 Joint Strike Fighter was formally named Lightning II at the program’s Fort Worth, Texas headquarters nine days ago.
Aircraft
BAE’s Herti UAV will spy in uniform or in civvies
BAE Systems is showing its recently-revealed Herti UAV system here for the first time, but the company’s unmanned, low-observable Raven and Corax vehicles
BAE to MoD boss: bring pounds
BAE Systems hopes that up to three important UK contracts will be confirmed when British defense minister Des Browne visits the show tomorrow.
AgustaWestland Wins Merlin Support
AgustaWestland has won a 25-year deal to support the UK fleet of Merlin Mk1 maritime and Mk 3 transport helicopters.
