“When our defense contractors realize that price points and design innovation really matter then they’ll get the business back.”
The Boeing entry would’ve suited the Air Force just fine. Just a couple of years ago, they were all hot to get 767 tankers.
This is one of the few issues I’d vote with a Democrat on. For defense systems, you ONLY go outside of America if you can’t get what you need here. And the 767 could easily be stretched if USAF simply wants a little more capacity.
Boeing uses major parts and assemblies from China. Here's one example.
Boeing, the world's second-biggest maker of commercial aircraft, said Thursday that it signed contracts with Chinese aircraft parts makers valued at an estimated $600 million as part of its plan to cut production costs.
The agreements with four companies include the first firm contract with Chinese suppliers to make parts for the 787 jetliner, the company's first new model in 15 years, Boeing said in a statement issued in Beijing. Boeing is trying to reduce costs to make its airplanes more competitively priced against Airbus, which surpassed Boeing as the top commercial plane maker by deliveries in 2003. More than 3,500 Boeing planes have major parts and assemblies made in China.
(The underscore is mine)
They also want it to fly. The 767 already has runway lenght issues to meet the present capacity. Stretch it to match the A330 fuel/cargo capacity and there wouldn't be a airbase anywhere with enough runway to get it off the ground.