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
Airships Are Coming to The Middle East
Lighter than air but heavy with promise, two companies aim to fly airships in the Middle East.
A Tale Of Two Cropdusters With A New Purpose
Two cropdusters are finding new missions as close air support and ISR platforms.
Maintenance and Modifications
UAE Places $1.6 Billion F-16 Upgrade Order
The order covers F-16E/F Block 60 upgrades as well as spares and support.
Yemen Issue Raised at Air Chiefs Conference
Operation Restore Hope has attracted unprecedented criticism from humanitarian agencies for indiscriminate targeting of civilians and refugees.
Aircraft
Speculation Mounts That F-35 Lightning Might Strike in UAE
Will the UAE be a customer for the Lockheed Martin F-35? Recent posturing suggests the Gulf nation wants to join the fray.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
VStar Pioneers Small Sigint Sensors For UAVs
California-based VStar Systems eyeing the Middle East for its modular, low-weight, low-cost sensors that have potential to expand mission set
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Czech Company Offers Low-Cost Turbines at Dubai
PBS Velka Bites manufactures a range of small turborops, turbojets and APUs.
Aircraft
Malaysia Grounds MiG-29s and Rethinks Future Fighter
The Royal Malaysian Air Force now seeks a light combat aircraft, and is also shopping for a new maritime patrol aircraft.
Aircraft
Germany Requests Pricing and Availability for the F-35
The German Air Force is seeking a Tornado replacement to enter service from 2025.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Start-up Company Pioneers Small SIGINT Sensors For UAVs
California-based VStar Systems is building modular, low-weight, low-cost sensors with potential to expand the mission sets of UAVs.
Aircraft
More Super Tucanos For Afghanistan, and USAF interest Grows
Six more Brazilian turboprops are going east via the U.S., while the USAF's ‘light attack experiment’ may continue.
Rafael Wins Israeli Order For New Version of Spike Missile
The home customer will buy more than 1,000 of a longer-range version of the Spike missile that can also be exported.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Delivers two H175s; Tiger Woes Continue
Company also reports progress with flight tests of the H160, but longstanding problems with the H225 and Tiger continue.
Aircraft
U.S. Sends New Deterrence Message to North Korea Via Seoul Airshow
The biennial ADEX trade show became a vehicle for another demonstration of U.S. airpower.
Aircraft
Good and Bad News for the Eurofighter Program
Qatar is set to become the next customer, but production is slowing, and Austria no longer wants to fly the jet.
Avionics
Hensoldt Buys British Sensor Company Kelvin Hughes
The maritime specialist will help Hensoldt’s ambition to become a sensor solutions provider.
Aircraft
Saab Goes American To Boost Boeing T-X Contender
The Swedish company will build its share of the jet trainer in the US, if the partnership wins the competition.
Aircraft
Confusion Arises Over the JSTARS Recap Plan
Senior U.S. Air Force leaders said that source selection would proceed on schedule, even as the requirement is re-assessed.
Aircraft
British Defense Show Prompts More ASDOT Announcements
Leonardo and Saab have pitched into the UK’s requirement for contracted Air Support to Defence Operational Training (ASDOT).
Aircraft
Bahrain To Get New and Upgraded F-16V Fighters
In a sale worth nearly $3.8 billion, the country will acquire the latest version of the ‘Viper’ and a huge variety of weapons
Leonardo Reports Sales of Vixen 500E AESA Radar
Romania will fit one for trials on its indigenous IAR-99 jet. The U.S. Navy and U.S. Department of Homeland Security are also customers.
Aircraft
New British Training Fleet Entering Service
Grob G120TPs, Beechcraft T-6Cs and Embraer Phenoms are being supplied for the UK MFTS by the joint venture named Affinity.
Aircraft
Britain’s Sentinel Recon Aircraft Gets an Upgrade
Although still threatened with grounding in 2021, the radar is being improved. Meanwhile, Raytheon is marketing an enhanced version for export.
Aircraft
Turkey Considers Russian or European Missile Systems—Or Both
A highly politicized search for ground-based long-range air defense continues.
Aircraft
Britain’s Costly Carrier Enters Home Port
HMS Queen Elizabeth, the first of two huge new warships, completed initial sea trials, but won’t be operational until the end of 2020.
Aircraft
Sale of Embraer Super Tucanos to Nigeria Likely
Twelve of the Brazilian turboprop light attack aircraft will be supplied via the U.S. foreign military sales system.
Aircraft
France and Germany To Develop New Fighter Without UK?
Confusingly, there are now two “Future Combat Air System” projects in Europe.
Aircraft
Tecnam Provides Low-Cost Trainer to Argentina
The Italian company’s P2002JF very light aircraft (VLA) is graduating new pilots in a lease-purchase plus support deal.
Aircraft
Contractors Prepare for New Defense Flying Training Needs
Draken International and Cobham will jointly bid in the UK; ATAC will buy French Mirage F1s for U.S. requirements.
Avionics
BAE Systems Employs F1 And Gaming Expertise
Partnership with Williams creates new cockpit simulation facility in the UK for fast jet training and development.
