Free Republic

U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said today that Boeing Co. won a $35 billion contract to build an air refueling tanker due to "Chicago politics." Chicago-based Boeing defeated the European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. for the contract. EADS planned to assemble the tanker in Mobile. “I’m disappointed but not surprised," Shelby said. "Only Chicago politics could tip the scales in favor of Boeing’s inferior plane. EADS clearly offers the more capable aircraft. If this decision stands, our warfighters will not get the superior equipment they deserve.” Boeing wins air tanker contract The Pentagon awarded a $35 billion contract to...

France has vowed to retaliate against the United States for allegedly shutting Europe's aviation giant EADS out of a $50bn (£33.4bn) defence contract, warning of potential damage to the Atlantic alliance. "This is a serious affair," said France's Europe minister Pierre Lellouche. "I can assure you that there will be consequences." "You cannot expect Europeans to contribute to global defence if you deny their industries the right to work on both sides of the Atlantic," he said, adding that French president Nicolas Sarkozy would take action "at the appropriate time". An Airbus A330 MRTT performing a refueling operation with the...