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

AgustaWestland Delivers AW139 to Ivory Coast

Latest delivery to Ivory Coast brings African total beyond 60, and worldwide sales close to 900.
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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.
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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.
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Self-contained Recce Pod Works with a Wi-Fi Link

Austria’s SCAR pod is doing well in the market thanks to its versatility.
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Accidents

Faulty Engine Control Software Caused A400M Crash

Airbus D&S says fault was confined to one aircraft, in a final production error.
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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.
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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.
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Thales Reveals Ballistic Missile Early Warning Radar

A subscale demonstrator of Europe’s first BMEWS is nearly ready for testing.
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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
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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
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Thales Wins UK Crowsnest Surveillance Contract

Royal Navy Merlin Rotorcraft fleet to be re-equipped.
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Aircraft

Euro-Male Study Endorsed by Defense Ministers

France, Germany and Italy signal intent to fund project definition of an all-European medium-altitude, long-endurance UAS.
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Aircraft

AirTanker Explores Alternative Leases for Refueling Fleet

Provider of tankers to UK Royal Air Force has placed only one A330 with an airline to date.
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Accidents

Fatal A400M Crash Disrupts Production Recovery Plan

Four of six crew killed during failed emergency return to Seville.
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Aircraft

Japanese Order Is the First for Dassault’s Falcon 2000 MSA

L-3 and Thales were partners in successful bid to the Japan Coast Guard.
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Report: Defense Industry Still Lags on Anti-Corruption Programs

Transparency International investigated 163 companies to produce its new index; improvement seen, but the picture remains inadequate.
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Aircraft

Triple Whammy for Team Rafale as Qatar Buys 24

French combat jet scores third export sale in as many months; UAE could be next.
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Aircraft

EU Leaders Mull Military Action To Destroy People-Smuggling Vessels

Possible roles for UAVs considered after current patrol and rescue efforts deemed inadequate.
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Aircraft

Indian Rethink Is Leading To a Smaller Rafale Deal

Procurement funds may be switched to indigenous LCA and Indo-Russian FGFA.
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Aircraft

Operation Inherent Resolve Makes Uncertain Progress

Islamic State forces lose some ground in Iraq but still control large areas. Syrian situation unclear.
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Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

IAI Reports Brazilian Defense Initiatives

Israeli company is supplying UAS and radar technology via local partners
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Alenia Aermacchi Eyes Sales Prospects in Chile

An MoU is signed for “collaboration” on the M-345 basic jet trainer and C-27J airlifter
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Accidents

AIN Blog: Germanwings Tragedy Prompts Reflection on MH370 Loss

The fate of Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 is still unexplained, but questions have been raised as the role of its pilot-in-command, Captain Zahari.

Malaysian Radar Spotlighted in New MH370 Report

Full details of failings by country’s air defense radar system again withheld from public view
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Inmarsat Launches New Satcom Datalink Service for ISR

Company claims unique advantages for L-band transmission
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Indian Mirage 2000 Upgrade Paves Way For Rafale Signing, Say French

The first two have been completed in France. Meanwhile however, the operational fleet is affected by a lack of spares.
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Accidents

New MH370 Report Reveals Radar, Procedural Failings

Exposes shortcomings at military air defense and civilian ATC control centers, and MAS ops center
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Safety

ICAO Reports Flight Tracking, Risk Portal Progress

Secretary-General spoke in Malaysia on new safety measures prompted by the MH370 and MH17 disasters.
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Aircraft

Exhibitors Praise LIMA Show Despite Few Contracts

Pilatus sold five more PC-7s to Malaysia, but C-130 and S-61 upgrades were not confirmed, and the MRCA remains unfunded.
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Aircraft

Malaysian Show Opens with Crash, Few Announcements

Nonfatal collision between Indonesian turboprops during practice for LIMA
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