Chris Pocock

1 day ago | makesaerosense.com | Chris Pocock

One of the most interesting aspects of the UK’s Strategic Defence Review (SDR), which finally surfaced earlier this week, was the suggestion that the UK should invest “in the range of capabilities necessary to deter nuclear use at any scale.” The review also stated that “more F-35s will be required over the next decade.

2 weeks ago | dragonladytoday.com | Chris Pocock

The US Air Force is still committed to divestment of the Dragon Lady, despite concerns expressed by the Combatant Commanders (COCOMS) and the Congress, which forced a pause in retirement actions during the current fiscal year. In written testimony to the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) this month, the USAF leadership said: “The ability to win high-end conflicts requires transitioning to connected, survivable platform investment and accepting short-term risks by divesting legacy ISR assets.

3 weeks ago | makesaerosense.com | Chris Pocock

The UK’s carrier strike group is on its way to Asia on a flag-waving deployment that has removed 2,100 British sailors and four warships from NATO and the European theatre for eight months. Meanwhile, the war in Ukraine grinds on, as does British-led attempts to cobble together a “peacekeeping” force that might help separate the two sides. Have we got our priorities right? Don’t expect a “strategic” answer from the latest Strategic Defence Review (SDR).

2 months ago | dragonladyhistory.com | Chris Pocock

In a little-known development in the mid-1950s, the UK produced its own high-altitude spyplane with assistance from the US. The Meteor jet fighter was modified with longer wings and re-engined with two P&W J57-31s, that were  being used to power the RB-57D and the U-2. It was designated the Meteor PR19, and the Lockheed Skunk Works helped British aircraft company Armstrong Whitworth to design its wings.  Well actually, they didn’t, and the PR19 never existed. But were you fooled?

2 months ago | dragonladytoday.com | Chris Pocock

With less than seven months remaining before the USAF’s target date for ending U-2 operations, the Dragon Lady program is in limbo. All three of the overseas locations are still in place and flying missions as normal. No further retirement actions have taken place so far this year, and no plans for the final drawdown of the fleet have been made public. The hiatus is mainly thanks to the US Congress.