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
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.
Aircraft
New Pressure on Lockheed Martin To Reduce F-35 Unit Cost
The incoming US President has slammed the program, but LM says a new deal is close already.
Aircraft
Leonardo Gains Italian Orders To Boost Balance Sheet
The M-345 jet trainer and a new helicopter will be acquired. Meanwhile, the company has consolidated in the UK.
Operational Laser Weapons 10 Years Away, Says UK MoD
But a capability demonstration has been funded and scheduled for 2019.
Aircraft
French Choose Babcock and PC-21 for Future Pilot Training
British company’s French subsidiary will partner with Dassault for a service contract that has similarities with the new UK flying training system
Aircraft
Pharewell to the Phantom
The US Air Force retired the classic jet with the final flight of a QF-4 that was serving as an unmanned aerial target.
Aircraft
A400M Makes Progress Toward Full Promised Performance
Tactical capabilities have been extended, and a new support contract signed. But helicopter refueling remains a problem.
Aircraft
Leonardo Delivers ATR 72 Maritime Patrollers to Italy
Four ATR 72 600s with radar, EO and ESM sensors are replacing the air force’s Breguet Atlantics
Aircraft
IAI Delivers CAEW Gulfstream 550 to Italian Air Force
First of two being acquired as offset for Israeli buy of M346s has upgraded systems, that have been jointly developed with Italy
Aircraft
Israel’s First F-35s Delivered to VIP Reception
The Israeli Air Force is planning to have its first squadron operational by the end of next year.
Aircraft
Canada Chooses Airbus C295W for Search and Rescue
Major win for best-selling twin turboprop over rival C-27J, and the new Embraer KC-390 jet, after a long evaluation.
Aircraft
Norway To Acquire P-8s as Boeing Delivers to Australia
India and the UK are the other customers to date; Boeing is wooing British suppliers to offset an expensive, uncompeted buy.
Aircraft
Saab Postpones Gripen E First Flight—for Good Reason
The company claims that pre-qualifying software to a very high standard will save time and money later on.
Aircraft
Raytheon Pushes Tri-missile A2/AD Concept
Company modeling says that fourth-gen strike aircraft can survive formidable air defenses
Aircraft
UK Will Pay $1 Billion To Bolster Reaper UAV Fleet
The Royal Air Force is planning to increase its MALE UAV capability, by acquiring Certifiable Predator Bs.
Aircraft
Gulf Fighter Deals Will Be Worth $30 Billion-plus to U.S. Industry
A bonanza for Boeing and subcontractors as the sale of 72 F-15s to Qatar and 40 F-18s to Kuwait is notified.
Aircraft
Details Emerge on UK’s Tornado-Typhoon Capability Transition
But the vital RAPTOR reconnaissance pod cannot be transferred from the retiring jets.
Rotorcraft
Naval Combat Version of H225M Flight-tested in Brazil
The Brazilian subsidiary of Airbus Helicopters is doing the development to help meet technology transfer goals
Aircraft
Move of Russian Aircraft Carrier Adds Tension In Middle East
Airstrikes by Western forces help Iraq fight ISIS, but Syria becomes ever more complicated
Aircraft
Embraer Admits Illicit Payments for Military Sales
Company will pay fines to US and Brazilian authorities for the corrupt supply of Super Tucanos to Dominica and EMB-145s to India.
Aircraft
Textron’s Scorpion Tactical Jet Drops Weapons
The private venture still lacks a launch customer, but could fulfill the close air support role in the U.S. Air Force.
