[ErnstStavroBlofeld]

There is a possibility that Gates will make a purchase from EADS. I would make it from Boeing

[TheBattman]

I would make it from Boeing

That's all well and good -but does Boeing actually manufacture an aircraft in that class? A heavy-hauler turbo-prop with similar specs?

And no - I am not an EADS fan by any stretch.

[wolf78]

There is a possibility that Gates will make a purchase from EADS. I would make it from Boeing

Without competition, Boeing will rip off the taxpayer big time. As the press release points out, those aren't serious negotiations, instead the DoD is studying its options. As it should. The reason EADS/Northrop were so competitive when it came to the tanker bid was that Boeing wanted more money for an older, less capable airframe made on production lines that are already written off.