Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;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.

Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

Israeli company Bird Aerosystems stepped up the marketing of its airborne surveillance, information and observation (ASIO) solutions. It claims to provide “one of the most affordable, reliable and capable special-mission aircraft solutions available today.” It is essentially a systems integrator and display designer, using sensors provided by other suppliers.


Mexico has become an early customer, with installations on several Cessna Citation business jets, Bell 407 helicopters, and ground vehicles belonging to state security organizations. They are being used to protect strategic sites and fight drug-running organizations. Bird Aerosystems last month staged a live demonstration of ASIO at Mexico’s aerospace exhibition, FAMEX 2017.


Bird installed a Leonardo (formerly Selex) Seaspray 5000 AESA multimode radar in a belly radome on the Citations, as selected by the customer. The jet also carries an unspecified EO sensor ball and SIGINT sensor, in retractable installations. Two workstations for sensor operators are included onboard, that are common with others on the ground. The conversion also included the installation of uprated engines, increasing fuel capacity for longer endurance, and upgrading of some of the avionic instrumentation into a missionized glass cockpit. The Bell 407 was equipped with the EO payload and a satcom terminal.&nbsp;


Ronen Factor, co-CEO and founder of Bird Aerosystems, said that "by providing all team members with unified situational awareness, Bird’s new ASIO solution ensures that the entire team, from field commanders to decision makers, has an accurate and comprehensive situational overview as well as all the real-time information they need in order to make decisions.”


Bird Aerosystems also produces an airborne missile protection system (AMPS) that the company says was developed in cooperation with Airbus Defence and Space, and claims is now installed on “hundreds of aircraft worldwide.” &nbsp;

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Israeli Company Touts Surveillance Solutions

Bird Aerosystems has installed various sensors and displays on Cessna Citation jets and Bell 407 helicopters for Mexico

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Jessica Reed

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Jo Damato and Andrew Broom assume additional responsibilities

NBAA Expands Roles for Two Senior Executives

Matt Thurber

Similarities between the piston- and jet-powered Cirruses make transition training easier

Transport Canada Certifies Cirrus SR G7 and Vision G2+

Kerry Lynch

Aircraft will be able to take off in 150 feet of runway

Electra Launches Hybrid-electric EL9 STOL Aircraft

Hanneke Weitering

First production-representative Alia CX300 takes flight

Beta Flies First Electric Airplane Produced in Vermont Factory

G700 next headed to the Bahrain International Airshow for display alongside the G500

Gulfstream’s G700 Surpasses 65 City-pair Records

Honda's secretive eVTOL program picks up steam

FAA Greenlights Honda eVTOL Flight Tests

Curt Epstein

Some models are seeing high demand, others not so much

Broker: Preowned Cessna Citation Market Remains Mixed

Charles Alcock

New developments at airports including regulations and noise issues; legal disputes; openings, acquisitions and mergers.

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Aircraft