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
First Flight of Airbus A330neo Expected By End of Summer
First pair of Trent 7000s to arrive from Rolls-Royce imminently
L-3 Wescam Offers Quick-fit ISR Consoles
Imagery from the company’s sensor and targeting turrets can be actioned onboard.
Aircraft
First Japanese-assembled F-35A Is Rolled Out
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is the key contractor, but is also leading Japan’s own stealth fighter development.
Aircraft
Leonardo Continues Development of 'World-First' Radar Jammer
The UK Royal Air Force is now helping to fund the BriteCloud expendable active decoy for fighter aircraft.
Aircraft
Trade Row Threatens Canada’s Fighter Replacement Plans
An interim—and controversial—buy of Super Hornets may fall victim to row with US over alleged subsidies to Bombardier.
Aircraft
BAE Systems Rolls Out First Typhoon and Hawk for Oman
Deliveries begin this year to replace Jaguars and supplement a previous buy of Hawks
Rotorcraft
Pentagon Reports $500 Million in Possible Helicopter Sales
MD 530Fs for Kenya, Bell 429s for Slovakia, and CH-47Ds for Greece would all be supplied under FMS terms
Aircraft
BAE Systems Claims Next-generation Threat Warning
Aircraft and helicopter survivability against missile attack could be significantly improved, says company
Aircraft
Airlander Hybrid Airship Flies Again
Modifications have been made after last year’s heavy landing. But firm customers are still awaited.
Aircraft
Airbus Successfully Flight-tests Automatic Air Refueling
An F-16 was connected to an A330 MRTT using image processing software
Aircraft
Israeli Company Touts Surveillance Solutions
Bird Aerosystems has installed various sensors and displays on Cessna Citation jets and Bell 407 helicopters for Mexico
MBDA Gears Up Production of New Air Defense Missile
The Common Anti-Air Modular Missile (CAMM) will defend British warships and troops
Aircraft
Iran Shows ‘Stealth’ Fighter, Jet Trainer and Missiles
The Qahar fighter was taxied, but has not yet flown. The Kowsar trainer was on static display. The missiles have been fired.
Aircraft
Israel Secures Huge Missile Contracts in India
After a joint development, IAI will supply new surface-to-air missile systems to the Indian Army and Navy worth $2 billion.
Aircraft
Flat LAAD Show Reflects Brazil's Economic and Political Woes
The Latin American Aerospace and Defense (LAAD) event was affected by the region’s economic problems.
Aircraft
Airbus Helicopters Signs New Agreement in Indonesia
Local partner PTDI – currently completing Cougars, Fennecs and Panthers – will be helped to develop support and MRO services.
Aircraft
Reprieve Likely for U-2 Dragon Lady
The U.S. Air Force will postpone plans to retire the high-flying recce jet in 2019-20.
AIN Blog: Airshow Season Starts With Events at China Lake and Lancaster
There will be plenty of fascinating displays.
Ruag Develops Simulated Testing of Chaff/Flare Systems
The German Air Force Tornado fleet will avoid firing of pyrotechnics when testing its self-protection system.
Maintenance and Modifications
The ‘Other’ Air Asia Seeks More Third Party MRO Business
The long-established Taiwanese company has new leadership that is pitching for international contracts.
Airbus Concludes Sale of Defense Electronics Business
American buyout specialist KKR paid €1.1 billion for the mostly Germany-based company, now renamed Hensoldt.
Rotorcraft
Indonesian Air Force Review Clears AW101 Helicopter Purchase
In a break from the previous Indonesian policy, the service is looking beyond its traditional supplier, state-owned Indonesian Aerospace (PTDI)
Aircraft
Airbus Pleads for Relief as A400M Losses Mount
Company wants the European launch nations to reduce the penalties they are extracting for late deliveries and performance shortfalls.
Aircraft
Indonesia Makes Mixed Progress with Airliner Programs
The R80 regional airliner still awaits funding, and the N245 remains in preliminary design. PTDI says that the smaller N219 is nearing its first flight.
Aircraft
‘Make In India’ Was the Key Focus of Aero India Show
From fighters to helicopters to AEW aircraft to missiles, foreign OEMs competed to meet India’s requirements.
Aircraft
Taiwan Confirms Indigenous Jet Trainer Development
The island republic will boost its local defense industry rather than buying M346s from Italy.
Aircraft
Turkey Chooses BAE Systems To Help Design New Fighter
British company is confirmed as partner for the ambitious TF-X project.
Accidents
Failure to Find MH370 Leaves Critical Questions Unanswered
Coincidentally, a leaked Malaysian police report that describes the captain’s simulation of a flight over the Indian Ocean resurfaces
Aircraft
New British Airborne Surveillance Radar Enters Production
The UK Ministry of Defence confirmed an order for the Crowsnest system to be carried by Royal Navy Merlin helicopters
Aircraft
BAE Systems To Replace Head-up Display on the F-22
Lockheed Martin selected BAE’s all-digital upgrade for increased reliability and performance.
