Posted on 02/29/2008 7:13:12 PM PST by Paleo Conservative
I really , really like that congress is upset but why can’t we build our own? I’m concerned about security in France also.
Pratt and Whitney is sure upset by the decision. I’m in Connecticut and they are all over the radio talking about they build a better engine for the tanker.
Yeah....and everything in metric.
I really don’t like this either but since it has caused Murray and Cantwell to go into hysterics, I think I’ll lean back, eat some popcorn through my smirk and sit this one out.
The arsenal of democracy is under new management.
It’s Washington’s loss and Alabama’s gain. I’m from WA :(
Everyone should call/email every Congressional representative you have (I already have) to protest this foolish decision. It is extremely offensive that my tax money is being given to the parent of Airbus. However, it is even more offensive that we are allowing a foreign country to supply the airframe for a defensive project. It is not only offensive, it is extremely, absolutely stupid!
President Bush, where are you? You are the Commander in Chief, and you need to quash this idiocy! American defensive programs need to be built by Americans! Because you cannot predict who our enemies are going to be in 20 years!
Both Aircraft are a mesh of foreign and domestic parts, Cindy. I like Boeing best for safety and reliability in commercial aircraft, but I see nothing wrong with this. Airbus holds a lot more fuel, has GE engines and will bring 7000 jobs to Alabama.
I am not sure security in France will weigh too heavily into this. I certainly understand why there would be concerns though, but I think the Pentagon just picked the best plane, or at least thought they did.
Whoot! Way to go Northrop Grumman!
I would like to know why they did this. If it’s payback to congress for sitting on bills and not supporting the military, I can support this. I wish they would have picked a small American company though.
If you want on or off this aerospace ping list, please contact Paleo Conservative or phantomworker by Freep mail.
Here are some other related threads.
EADS/Northrop upsets Boeing in Air Force tanker competition — analyst
Seattle Times ^ | February 29, 2008 | Dominic Gates
Posted on 02/29/2008 3:53:16 PM CST by skeptoid
Hope Congress un funds the Air force for a few years.
And makes them all wear Berets and knickers.
Best Bid being awarded to a foreign nation on a security project is the equivalent to Bernard Shaw saying he needed to remain impartial with the info he had while at the El Rahseedd hotel.
If this happens I may need to vote for Osama to slow the money being spent offshore for future military projects.
And to think it all began with a mess of porridge...
I’m not outraged. My stock went way up today, and my retirement fund is tied to Northrop.
It’s all in metric now.
The tanker will have GE Engines, and all the refueling and navaids will be installed in a plant to be built in Georiga,
USA. 4000 pers employed.
USAF wanted an AC Tanker with 2X capacity of KC-135 —
Boeing didn’t come up with the required AC as spec’d.
The Chauchat, such a great weapon.
Alabama won this contract fair and square. Boeing was having production problems on other contracts. More importantly, the Northrup-EADS tanker will hold 3 times as much fuel and can supply fuel in flight in two different ways. It is clearly the better plane for the Air Force. And it’s being manufacured in Sweet Home Alabama!!
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
