[Abathar]

Are you in favor of the profits from a $40 billion contract going overseas then?

It’s not like Boeing can’t do as good a job or better than EADS that would understandably warrant going there, or patent restrictions either.

If the Air Force is writing the check then let them set the requirements, you meet their specs or submit what you can and lose it to those who are more flexible.

[Perdogg]

I am in favor of capitalism, not Maria Cantwell style neomerchatilism. If you want to disqualify foreign firms from doing business with the US Govt, do it at the beginning at the procurement process and prepare to pay more for such items. Also, kiss goodby the M1 tank and the M4 rifle and the HK416 which will replace it.

[Oztrich Boy]

Are you in favor of the profits from a $40 billion contract going overseas then?

"Dey tuk ur jeobs!"

EADS executive says tanker contract 'critical' to U.S. business

I could of explained this to everyone back when the EADS/Northrop submission was originally made.

Oh wait, I did. But for those of you not paying attention, here is is again

• About 5 years ago EADS announced the Airbus A330-200Freighter.
• This immediately became the "Future Freighter of First Choice" for airlines around the globe, devastating the order book for the competition {cough]Boeing 767 Freighter[cough]
• EADS would like to do final assembly of the A330-200Freighter in a lower labour cost region than the European community
• But the order book, while healthy, isn't quite there ro justify building a new facility.
• When the USAF announced the tanker contract, the situation changed: 179 tankers plus commercial freighters orders more than justified a US plant.
• EADS really wanted the contract and brought their A game; going so far as to actually build the first 2 of the 4 development aircraft the contract called for before the USAF decided who the successful bidder was. (Meanwhile Boeing prepared a Powerpoint presentation)

To answer your question: although the US share of the EADS tanker work was slightly lower than the Boeing tanker work, the combined total US work from the combined (tanker + freighter) would have been much greater..

Those freighters will now be built in Toulouse, not Alabama