Posted on 02/29/2008 1:54:02 PM PST by Radio Free Tuscaloosa
The U.S. Air Force today named Northrop Grumman Corp. and EADS North America to build its next-generation fleet of aerial refueling tankers, spurning a bid from rival Boeing Co. with a decision that could bring an aircraft assembly plant to Mobile.
The Air Force made its choice after a fierce competition between the two teams for one of the single largest defense contracts in U.S. history. Estimated at up to $40 billion, the deal includes 179 planes to be delivered over the next 10-15 years. Boeing was considered a heavy favorite due mainly to its political clout and its legacy of building aircraft for the U.S. military.
(Excerpt) Read more at blog.al.com ...
However did we get to this point in history that Airbust is building aircraft for the U.S. Military.....
I don’t know. Ask Boeing.
Bad news.
Boeing probably had to pull back on the bribery strategy.
They partnered with Northrup-Grumman to build it here.
Going to suck for Wichita. We were all geared up for it.
Well, it started with Boeing bribing Pentagon officials . . . .
My point exactly.
Let me fix that for you:
Well, it started with (former) McDonnell Douglas employees bribing Pentagon officials . . .
Which airframe will it be based on?
Patty Murray is going to be one pissed off senator. Too bad for her. Queen Christine ain’t going to be a happy camper either.
Good news for Mobile and Alabama. Now all they have to do is build a plant, hire and train people and so on. The KC 135s are old now and will be ancient when the first new tanker rolls out.
I do have mixed feelings over Airbus even with the partnering with Northrop Grumman.
A-330
Those former McDonnell Douglas employees must’ve been all-powerful, promising that woman (whose name escapes me) and her daughter employment at Boeing as a reward.
boeing’s got to make sure it can deliver on its 787 and fix whatever possible 777 engine problems they may have.
No, ask John McCain. He is the one that opposed Boeing getting the contract to begin with.
F. U. John
Europe will make good profit from this deal too. Someday, America may have it’s very own defense industry.
Any idea why the KC-10 wasn’t continued? Was it that stupid peace dividend crap?
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