Author: Chris Pocock

Chris Pocock is a British full-time writer, specialising in defence aerospace. He was the defence editor of AVIATION INTERNATIONAL NEWS for 30 years until retiring in mid-2018. He lectures and writes about intelligence-gathering during the Cold War, particularly by spy planes.

TEMPEST – STILL NO RATIONALE

The proponents of the Tempest future combat aircraft organized a storm of publicity as part of the virtual Farnborough Air Show this week. But I heard nothing to change my view that the project is not necessary for many years yet, and the wrong outlet for engineering skills in these extraordinary times. There was much … Continue reading TEMPEST – STILL NO RATIONALE →

WE DON’T NEED A NEW COMBAT AIRCRAFT

Airbus Defence and Space chief Dirk Hoke has called for a merger of the UK-led Tempest next-generation combat jet (left) with the Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS - right). In a video lecture for the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS), he said “we cannot afford two systems of that size…the market is too small”. I’m … Continue reading WE DON’T NEED A NEW COMBAT AIRCRAFT →

MODERN AIR WARFARE – A BOOK YOU MUST READ!

A fascinating new book reveals aspects of modern aerial warfare that have not previously been aired in unclassified forums, I think. The ever-changing and politically-charged Rules of Engagement (RoE), the role of the lawyers sitting alongside the operators, the development of targets, and the weaponeering, it’s all here. “Hunting The Caliphate” is a collaboration between … Continue reading MODERN AIR WARFARE – A BOOK YOU MUST READ! →

FOR ISR, NORTHROP GRUMMAN AIMS LOWER

For a corporation that is producing the USAF’s next-generation stealth bomber, plus the Global Hawk and other high-tech, high-altitude ISR platforms, it seems a bit strange that Northrop Grumman is now marketing a relatively low-tech, Medium-Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) aircraft. Without $$$$$ from the Pentagon for development. But NG is convinced that its Firebird design … Continue reading FOR ISR, NORTHROP GRUMMAN AIMS LOWER →