Chris Pocock has been covering the defense beat for AIN for over 30&nbsp;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.

Defense Correspondent

Chris Pocock

The U.S. Army gave the go-ahead for full-rate production of the Block III version of the Boeing Apache attack helicopter, which has been redesignated AH-64E. Potential export orders could add as many as 100 new airframes in the next few years. The AH-64E offers several improvements, including greater power, composite main rotor blades, net-centric communications, defensive system enhancements, modernized target acquisition designation sight (M-TADS), automated target detection and classification, and the ability to control UAVs. “We just took the most important decision in the AH-64 program since the original Block 1 and II,” said Col. Jeff Hager, the Army’s Apache project manager. The Army plans to buy 48 aircraft in each of the next several years, so that the ultimate production total reaches 690.


Boeing will deliver 29 Block IIIs this year under previous contracts, including five for FMS. A separate production line at the company’s Mesa, Ariz. facility continues to remanufacture Block II airframes as well as the last Block II new-builds for the Army, and for FMS.


Near-term international prospects include India, where a hybrid FMS/commercial contract for 22 is awaited, although AIN understands that another 22 might eventually be acquired; Korea, where the AH-64E is competing against the AgustaWestland/TAI T-129 and the Bell AH-1Z for a 36-aircraft order; and Qatar, which may buy 24. In addition, U.S. Secretary of State Hilary Clinton said recently that Indonesia will be cleared to receive an offer. The first of up to 30 for Taiwan was delivered last May, for initial crew training in the U.S.


Col. John Lynch, the Army’s TRADOC capability manager, said that Apache helicopters in Afghanistan are achieving an 80-percent readiness rate. Recent enhancements include Link 16; the MUMTE, which provides sensor feeds from UAVs; and the ground fire acquisition system (GFAS), which gives the crew a 360-degree view of incoming fire, including that from small arms, by slaving the helicopter’s sensors to the source.


Dave Koopersmith, Boeing vice president for attack helicopters, said that a dialog has been started with the 10 earlier international customers about a remanufacture program that, he said, offers “incredible value.”

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

Army Signs on for Block III Apache Attack Helicopter

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Joseph Carfagna Jr.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Certainty benefits the preowned business aircraft market

AINsight: Election Results and the Fence

Kerry Lynch

Ultra-long-range model has amassed 75 records, many from customer trips

Speed Records Abound for Bombardier's Global 7500

We talk through the process from conception to delivery

Flying Privately: How Aircraft Like the Bombardier Global 8000 Come to Life

Hanneke Weitering

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

AltiSky will assemble, sell, and service VoltAero's aircraft

VoltAero Picks U.S. Distributor for Cassio Hybrid-electric Aircraft 

Jennifer Leach English

Company noncommittal on expanding its lineup upwards, citing $1B investment cost

Embraer’s Plans for a Larger Bizjet Remain Up in the Air

Operations ebbed, backlogs were steady, and available aircraft increased

GJC: Bizjet Market Continues To Stabilize in 3Q2024

Greenville-based charter operator pre-orders 10 eVTOL air taxis

SAI Flight To Operate SkyDrive eVTOL in South Carolina

Charles Alcock

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

More In Aircraft