Everett, Wash.
Published: Thursday, June 18, 2009

AIR FORCE TANKERS

Now Boeing's in it to win it

 Lingering doubts about whether the Boeing Co. really wanted to land a $35 billion Pentagon contract for refueling tankers can apparently be put to rest. The company announced a new strategy Tuesday that has the look of a winner -- decidedly welcome news for its Everett operations.

Boeing will consider offering a tanker based on its 777, a larger airplane than the KC-767 that the Air Force snubbed last year in favor of a tanker based on the European Airbus A330. Size matters, the Air Force said, and the smaller 767 didn't measure up to its needs. Boeing protested that decision, claiming the criteria weren't spelled out clearly before bids were made and prompting Defense Secretary Robert Gates to order a do-over.

But in the ensuing months, indications have been that Boeing would again submit a bid based on the 767, leading some to question the company's commitment to winning. Now, though, Boeing says it will consider a range of options, including all versions of its 767 and 777, and choose based upon the Pentagon's requirements, which are expected to be released in the next few weeks.

Flexibility to tailor a tanker as closely as possible to the Air Force's needs should boost Boeing's chances. However, it's worth reiterating a point made by many when the Northrop Grumman/Airbus consortium was declared the (temporary) winner last year: Having the U.S. government award a gigantic military contract to a company that's the focus of a U.S. challenge over illegal trade practices is contradictory to the point of national embarrassment.

U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) has been driving that point home to the Pentagon and her colleagues. On Wednesday, she spoke out on the Senate floor against reports that an unrepentant Airbus is seeking yet another $5 billion in launch aid for its A350 jetliner, which will compete directly with Boeing planes.

"If we want to lead the world in commercial aerospace," Murray said, "our message to Europe must be strong and clear: No more illegal subsidies to prop up Airbus. Airbus must compete in the marketplace just like everyone else."

And its bad behavior in international trade shouldn't be validated by the U.S. military.

Fortunately, it appears now that Boeing will be offering the Air Force a tanker that will serve its needs, whatever it decides they are. With Boeing in it to win it, the Pentagon's decision shouldn't be difficult.
© 2009The Daily Herald Co., Everett, WA