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
Adaptations Bring CN235/C295 Sales Rewards For Airbus
Airbus DS has enjoyed considerable success recently with its small military transports by offering them adapted for a wide range of roles.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Swedish/Swiss JV Pushing UAVs Here
UMS Skeldar is at the Singapore Airshow promoting its UAVs with local partner CWT.
Rotorcraft
Malaysia Prepares for New Scout
Malaysian Army is the launch customer for the latest MD530, and will take delivery of the first of six in Q4.
Singapore: When Will the Balloon Go Up?
The aerostat for Singapore is being supplied by TCOM of the U.S., but the prime contractor and radar supplier is thought to be IAI-Elta Systems.
Aircraft
Indonesia Set to Buy Chinooks
Boeing DSS outlined its sales prospects in the Asia Pacific region at a Singapore Airshow press conference
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Confident of More F-16V Upgrade Sales
Taiwan is lead customer for upgraded aircraft, but Singapore is among those thought to have signed up too.
Aircraft
F-35 Report Card Gives Thumbs-Down to Block Buy
Various issues still remain that are likely to put partner nations off the block buys the U.S. wants.
Aircraft
Singapore Mulls F-35 and Lots More
Defense OEMs are queuing up at the Singapore Airshow to persuade Singapore to buy their aircraft.
Aircraft
Singapore Airshow Ups Game in Face of Competition
Competition from other airshows will mean Singapore steps up a gear for the 2016 event at Changi.
Aircraft
Australian Air Force Must Make Careful F-35 Choices
Weapons and training decisions need care as the RAAF prepares to take delivery of its first F-35 squadron in 2018.
Regulations and Government
Taiwan’s Good Technical Offer Is Affected By Politics
Taiwan is keen to develop its aerospace industry through exports but has China watching its every move.
Aircraft
Italian Jet Trainer Finds New Cost-Saving Roles
Singapore was the first export customer for the M346, and has since been joined by Israel, Poland and the UAE.
Training and Workforce
The Search for MH370 Continues And So Does the Mystery
Almost two years after MH370 disappeared, the location is still a mystery – with only one item washing up.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
When It Comes To Small-Scale UAVs, The Big OEMs are Best: LockMart
U.S. company is offering a suite of UAVs with common ground control
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin Confirms New T-50 Variant for T-X
The company studied and rejected clean-sheet designs for the new U.S. Air Force advanced pilot training aircraft
Rotorcraft
Budget-Constraints Drove Helicopter Choices in Malaysia
Budget-Constrained Helicopter Choices in Malaysia
Pentagon Enjoys U.S. FY 2017 Defense Budget Stability
Previous Congressional deal provides required funding for what is by far the world’s large defense spend
Aircraft
HAL Finally Rolls Out Its Turboprop Trainer
The HTT-40 has been rolled out, but the PC-7 is meeting most of the Indian requirement.
Singapore Airshow Boosted By Strong Conference Program
The Singapore Airshow runs from February 16-21 at the Changi Exhibition Centre.
Aircraft
Package Contract for UK Military Pilot Training Is Now Signed
A double-outsourcing deal will provide three new glass-cockpit types from Grob, Beechcraft and Embraer.
Aircraft
Japan’s New Fighter Testbed To Fly This Month
Official unveiling of the T-X shows 3D thrust vectoring, stealth features.
Aircraft
Video Feeds from Israeli UAVs Intercepted by Western Intel Agencies
New revelations show continuing vulnerability of satellite datalinks.
Aircraft
British Pilots Push Eurofighter Typhoon Upgrades
Delivery of the costly P2E and P3E enhancement packages are vital to the RAF plan for retiring the Tornado strike jet
Aircraft
Raytheon Coyote UAS Hunts Hurricanes
The small tube-launched UAS will reach the turbulent airspace that manned aircraft cannot/
Aircraft
F-22 Performs over Syria/Iraq Despite Comms Issues
The stealthy air defense fighter has proved adaptable to coalition multirole combat
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Germany Confirms Desire for Larger Heron UAV
Negotiations are underway for the Heron TP to replace the Heron 1 in a lease contract operated by Airbus D&S
Aircraft
MD Helicopters Gains Second Afghan Contract
Armed versions of the MD 530 series are being marketed for close air support
Israeli Reconnaissance Pod Finds Asia-Pacific Customer
The IAI-Elta ELM 2060P is a radar system that fits on fighter aircraft.
Aircraft
Export Sales Reported for Sino-Pakistan JF-17 Combat Jet
Myanmar and Nigeria could be customers, but a proposed sale to Sri Lanka is opposed by India
