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
Regulations and Government
Indecision Renders European MALE UAV Virtually Impotent
Countries have not yet provided enough definition to allow the industrial team to proceed.
Aircraft
Saudi Ministry Orders Airbus C295W Airlifters
Kingdom previously bought the smaller CN235 transport.
Aircraft
Lockheed Martin’s Hybrid Airship Lands Commercial Reseller
Company will not build its first full-scale Hybrid Airship until a customer is secured.
British Hybrid Airship Can Now Fly Again
Crowdfunding and government grants ensure that the Airlander 10 will be demonstrated to potential customers.
Safety
Martin-Baker: Saving Lives in the Family Way
From the F-35 to basic trainers, British company offers world’s fighter pilots a means of escape.
Aircraft
Dassault Boss Reviews Rafale’s Great Year
India expected to sign soon for 36, may still agree 90 more for in-country production.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
With the UK Sorted, Thales Touts Watchkeeper Prospects in France
New Payloads Offered and Sovereign Requirements Addressed in Export Drive.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Israel's UAVs Find New Roles as Hunters and Data Gatherers
European industrials and operators can learn from Israeli experience with UAVs.
Aircraft
The Revolutionary but Thorny U.S. Predator-Reaper Program
There are many improvements to the Reaper UAS that are being considered, while the Predator-C continues as a classified program.
World’s Most Sophisticated Bomb Ready for Production
The Raytheon SDB II has passed a vital Pentagon review, and is slated for F-15s, F-18s, F-35s and maybe F-16s.
Aircraft
Dassault Still Hopeful For Full Indian Rafale Deal
Production is being adjusted to accommodate export orders from Egypt and Qatar; other sales prospects discussed.
Aircraft
AgustaWestland Delivers AW139 to Ivory Coast
Latest delivery to Ivory Coast brings African total beyond 60, and worldwide sales close to 900.
Raytheon Pushes Long-Range Missile Defense with SM-3 Missiles, TPY-2 Radars
The radar has been cleared for export in a forward-basing mode, and the missiles are attracting international interest, says Raytheon.
Self-contained Recce Pod Works with a Wi-Fi Link
Austria’s SCAR pod is doing well in the market thanks to its versatility.
Accidents
Faulty Engine Control Software Caused A400M Crash
Airbus D&S says fault was confined to one aircraft, in a final production error.
CAE To Supply UK Merlin Helicopter Training Devices
OEM AgustaWestland selected the Canadian company on behalf of the Royal Navy and Marines. Lockheed Martin gets Chinook training contract.
Aircraft
European UAV ‘Sense and Avoid’ Trials Make Progress
The MIDCAS project sponsored by the EDA used an Alenia Aermacchi Sky-Y demonstrator UAV in flight trials against conflicting traffic.
Thales Reveals Ballistic Missile Early Warning Radar
A subscale demonstrator of Europe’s first BMEWS is nearly ready for testing.
Embraer Delivers First Upgraded A-4 Skyhawk to Brazilian Navy
New lease of life for venerable combat jet that fits on country’s sole aircraft carrier
Thales Wins UK Crowsnest Surveillance Contract
Royal Navy Merlin Rotorcraft fleet to be re-equipped.
Airbus Helicopters Prepares To Deliver H145Ms
The German army and Thai navy are the first customers for the military version of the EC145 T2 (now H145) twin
Aircraft
Oman To Buy More F-16s, and Switch Recce Pod Provider
Oman is set to buy a further 18 Lockheed Martin F-16 Bloc
Aircraft
Israel Confirms F-35 JSFs, Despite Local Opposition
Israel has agreed to acquire 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicles
Swiss Select Hermes 900 as New UAS
The Hermes 900 will replace the modified IAI Ranger UAVs, which are reaching the end of their life cycle.
Rotorcraft
Brazilian Production of EC725 Makes Progress
Previous EC725s for the nation's armed services were only partially assembled in Brazil.
Aircraft
Sikorsky Finally Lands New U.S. Rescue Helicopter
The U.S. Air Force could eventually acquire 112 combat rescue helicopters based on the UH-60M Black Hawk in a deal worth $7.9 billion, said Sikorsky.
Frustrated Iraqi PM Buys Russian Fighters
Still awaiting deliveries from the U.S., Iraq buys second-hand fighters from Russia, which are scheduled to arrive in a few days.
