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
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.
Aircraft
Two More Nations Join Euro-Tanker Fleet
Seven Airbus A330MRTTs are now slated for the pooling project, but still only four countries have committed.
Aircraft
Britain’s New Aircraft Carrier Starts Sea Trials
HMS Queen Elizabeth can carry up to 36 F-35B stealth fighters or 43 helicopters.
Aircraft
Leonardo’s M346 Gets Some Teeth
A fighter attack version is being offered that retains the type’s previous capabilities.
Aircraft
Pioneering Civilian Lease Deal for C295 Airlifter
A Canadian leasing company placed a firm order for 12, hoping to place them in various civilian and government operations.
Aircraft
Unique Airbus Aircraft Formation
This unique formation of Airbus aircraft was flown over southern France.
Aircraft
Rafael Displays Wide Range Of Airborne Weaponry
The Israeli company has some innovative solutions to precision attack, and electronic warfare
Aircraft
LASA Shows T-Bird at Paris
The T-Bird is entering the market for military light counter-insurgency aircraft based on cropduster airframes.
Aircraft
LM Boosts Hercules Program With Civil Order, New SOF Version
The LM-100J on display at Paris has a launch customer, and a new international version for special missions was also announced.
Aircraft
French Company Signs LOI For Lockheed Martin's Hybrid Airship
A second potential buyer for the innovative transporter has emerged, but there is still no firm order for the LMH-1
Safety
Vintage Fighters Put Ejection Seats To the Test
Ejection seat leader Martin-Baker keeps a pair of classic Gloster Meteor jets on its test team.
Aircraft
Activity-Based Intelligence Comes of Age in Modern Warfare
Geographic intelligence has emerged as a key tool as states battle new types of enemies.
Avionics
Safran Unveils New-Generation Optical Sensor
The Euroflir 410 provides multispectral imaging from a variety of airborne platforms
Aircraft
Airbus Negotiating To Reduce A400M Penalty Payments
The European countries that launched the airlifter are being asked to forgive late deliveries of aircraft and performance
Aircraft
L3 Shows New Light Strike System Based On Agplane
The AT-802L is a conversion of Air Tractor's cropduster, with attack mission avionics and weapons
Aircraft
Fast as Lightning
Lockheed Martin and the U.S. Air Force have brought two F-35A stealth fighters to Paris.
Rotorcraft
Airbus Helicopters Rethinks, Rationalizes Production
Starting with the H160, the European rotorcraft producer has new plans for the future.
Aircraft
Air Power Conference and RIAT Draw Air Force Decision Makers
The RIAT show and Air Power Conference will be held in the UK in July.
Aircraft
Airbus Shows New Airliners Though A330neo Misses Show
The A321neo, A350-1000 and A380 are all flying here, but the A330neo is still grounded
Maintenance and Modifications
Sabena Technics Modifying French Navy Falcon 50s
The Sabena mod program involves cutting a hatch into the the Falcon 50's fuselage to allow dropping a rescue boat.
Maintenance and Modifications
Airborne Technologies Offers Airbus Helicopter Upgrades
The upgrades include a tactical workstation, video-stabilizing unit, hardware for a Wescam gimbal and searchlight and more.
