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
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.
Aircraft
New Standard Airbus Tanker Makes First Flight
The A330MRTT is receiving various upgrades, and new ISR missions are being investigated.
Aircraft
Airbus Helicopters Responds To Polish H225M Cancellation
A frank statement provides unusually detailed public insight into offset talks for 50 H225Ms. Meanwhile, Poland ordered some rival S-70i Blackhawks.
Aircraft
Poland Scraps Big Airbus Helicopters Contract
Offset negotiations on the deal for 50 EC725s failed, although the company reported new export orders elsewhere.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Euro-MALE Unmanned System Study Is Finally Launched
Four nations are sharing the cost of a two-year exercise, that may eventually lead to an operational system in 2025
Aircraft
Japan’s First F-35 Rolls Off Lockheed Martin Production Line
Recent events include sensor-to-shooter test, and prospects for a block buy and a new or upgraded engine.
Aircraft
Mixed Prospects for Boeing Military Aircraft
New F-15 and F-18 exports seem likely, but uncertain requirements affect prospects for KC-46 tanker and 737 derivatives.
BAE Systems Touts Advanced Chip For Comms, EW and SIGINT Systems
The company’s US-based Electronics Systems business has used DARPA funding to develop flexible, wide-spectrum integrated circuits.
Avionics
Elbit Unveils Another High-spec Sensor System
The SPECTRO XR is a long-range, multispectral sensor ball for ISR and targeting, with a launch customer
Rotorcraft
Lord Corporation Provides New Anti-Vibration System for CH-47s
The improved systems offers significant weight saving as well as a smoother ride
Aircraft
Elbit Systems Chases U.S. National Guard Procurements
The US subsidiary of the Israeli company offers a variety of aircraft protection and modernization solutions.
