There was some incredible engineering talent at Boeing in the late 40’s through the 50’s. I firmly believe the B-52 and 707 will both make the 100 year mark.
Makes ya feel old how fast things march on. Now it is obsolete and needs replacint?
This has the Obama administration cut backs written all over it.
The Air Force could have re-engineered the existing platforms, which that manufacturer proposed, or had an entirely new aicraft based on the new P-8 Posiedon for the US Navy, that Bosing was willing to design and build for the Air Force to their JSTAR specs and requirements for the same cost being proposed to re-engineer the existing fleet.
That sounded like the best path...but I am sure we will be a good while digging out of the Obama funk if we defeat him and replace him in 2012.
If we do not...we may not be able to dig out of what he intends for our military...just like he is doing to the economy.