EADS/Northrop upsets Boeing in Air Force tanker competition — analyst

Seattle Times ^ | February 29, 2008 | Dominic Gates

[skeptoid]

Boeing has lost the long-awaited and lucrative Air Force refueling tanker contract to a competing bid based on an Airbus airplane, a respected and well-connected defense analyst close to the Air Force tanker deal said Friday.

Loren Thompson, an analyst with the Lexington Institute, cited "100 percent reliable" government sources for his information.

[skeptoid]

Really?????

[michaelt]

I wonder if the official announcement is coming.....

[skeptoid]

SNIP . . The outcome is a shocking upset, kept secret until just before the formal announcement, set for a 2 p.m. press conference today.. . .

[michaelt]

There’s another thread - I think it’s official.

[skeptoid]

I'd bet the USAF likes the bigger wingspan for 'dual refuel' (the wing hose/drogues would be farther apart).

[ltc8k6]

The Democrats will probably cancel it anyway.

[Yo-Yo]

I guess the story on the Malaysia Sun website on Tuesday wasn't so wrong after all.

[Yo-Yo]

Both the Boeing and the Airbus were to have three hose and drogue systems, in addition to the refueling boom.

[skeptoid]

It warnt, were it!

Load up the truck, Jethro, we'uz headin' fer MOBILE!

[taxesareforever]

I’m waiting to see Patty Murray’s frowny face on tv.

[skeptoid]

Yup, the PI story is here

[Oztrich Boy]

I'd bet the USAF likes the bigger wingspan for 'dual refuel' (the wing hose/drogues would be farther apart).

Not the USAF - it uses the boom.

BUT the USN will be ecstatic. Not having to use some of its SuperHornets as buddy tankers or beg hose time from foreign airforces

[skeptoid]

Governor Gregoire has threatened congressional inquiry ot formal protest if Boeing does't win.

[taxesareforever]

Wonder if that was included with an “emergency clause”. :)

[spokeshave]

Problem is the Airbus is “fly-by-wire” and can’t do the rapid maneuvers that the Boeing can....somewhat important in a war bird.

[blue state conservative]

Well, we better learn to be nice to the French, lest the refuse to continue to build and/or maintain the tankers midstream if they don’t like our foreign policy.

[Oztrich Boy]

Problem is the Airbus is “fly-by-wire” and can’t do the rapid maneuvers that the Boeing can....somewhat important in a war bird.

The guys flying must have the same problem.

[Captain Pike]

I saw a news report the other day where a washington state lawmaker IIRC was threatening legal action if Boeing didn’t win this. Anyone know where that was?

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

Ping

[TenthAmendmentChampion]

According to post 13, it was the governor GregFraudoire.