Boeing beats drum for 767 bid

EVERETT - The Boeing Co. and Washington politicians talked up the 767 tanker Monday in hopes the U.S. Air Force would get their message.

"The 767 Advanced Tanker, which I like to call the 767 American Tanker, is what we want," said Rep. Norm Dicks, D-Wash., speaking before hundreds of employees at Boeing's Everett factory. "The 767 is the right plane."

Boeing is vying against the team of Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautics Defence and Space Co. for a $40 billion contract to build aerial refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force. Boeing would build tankers based off its 767 commercial jet in Everett, keeping the 767 line here busy for many years.

Interest in the 767 commercial models had dwindled until recently. Earlier this year, Boeing won an order from UPS for 27 of its 767 freighters. The company has enough requests for the 767 to keep the line busy until 2012.

"Anyone who is thinking this airplane's days are numbered should check out our order books," said Scott Carson, president of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

If Boeing does not win the Air Force contract, the 767 line will remain open as long as there is demand to support it, said Beverly Wyse, vice president of the 767 program.

The Air Force plans to announce the contract winner by the end of the year, but Boeing decided to drum up support for its tanker with a 767 rally Monday. Speakers pointed to the company's history building tankers and the fact the 767 tanker program supports about 44,000 U.S. jobs as reasons the Air Force should award the contract to Boeing.

The 767 has proven history of success with more than 1,000 767s ordered and 8 million flights under its belt, Carson said.

"I think that represents a track record the Air Force can take to the bank," he said.

Boeing is building 767 tankers for both the governments of Italy and Japan. The company has fallen behind on delivering those tankers but plans to provide Japan with two KC-767s by the end of the year and Italy with one by next June. The aerospace giant says its work with Italy and Japan serves as valuable experience for fulfilling a contract with the U.S. Air Force.

Northrop Grumman and EADS would base their tanker off Airbus' A330 jet. The pair plans to assemble the tanker in Mobile, Ala. But EADS's European ties don't sit well with members of the U.S. Congress.

"We need to keep jobs here in America," said Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash. "We need to ensure we have a national defense industry base in this country."

Larsen and Dicks noted that the Congress already has appropriated more than $300 million to move ahead with the tanker contract. But Dicks downplayed recent speculation that the Air Force might split the contract between Boeing and Northrop-EADS.

"The other guy says they want to split the buy," Dicks said. "Usually when you want to split the buy, you're not very confident in your hand."

There was no lack of confidence among the 767 employees gathered in Everett Monday to support Boeing's tanker.

"The mighty 767 is alive and well here in Everett," Carson said.

Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@ heraldnet.com.