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Aerospace Blog


Boeing Co. (click to enlarge)
Boeing could be the only bidder for the Air Force tanker contest if Northrop-EADS drop out.
 
 

Murtha and Gates weigh in on Northrop's tanker threat


Posted at 10:51 am by Michelle Dunlop

Northrop Grumman's warning that it won't compete for the Air Force's tanker contract continues to generate buzz this morning.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he hopes Northrop will remain in the $35 billion contest with the Boeing Co. to replace the Air Force's fleet of 179 KC-135 tankers, reports Reuters.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, who chairs the House defense appropriations committee, told reporters that “there must be competition” for the tanker contract, according to DoDBuzz.

Murtha's comments throw cold water on any hopes that the Pentagon might just hand Boeing the contract by default.


UPDATE: Gates' comments are captured on the You Tube video below, which also is posted on Northrop's tanker Web site.



COMMENTS

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“I must regrettably inform you that, absent a responsive set of changes in the final (request for proposals), Northrop Grumman has determined that it cannot submit a bid,” Bush wrote.

But they will bid nonetheless. We live in an era where corporations have zero credibility. They face no consequences, therefore they have no shame making such a statement and then completely reversing themselves when the deadline to make a bid arrives.

But fortunately there is no requirement that Airbus bid on this contract. They can take their ball and go home if they really want to.

Mojojojo | Dec 2, 2009 7:10 pm | 0 replies | Request removal

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"schoolyard antics"
there are proponents on both sides of the fence for this contract between an indigenous and prepared to produce manufacturer for the KC-767 as opposed to the not so ready to produce foriegn owned partnership with EADS that is favored by some other (in my opinion) short sighted few that have dragged out this "competition" for far too long with "schoolyard antics" such as the verbal snubs being passed back and forth among those not directly affected by the outcome of an obvious choice (that is if you're truly in support of the american troops and airmen as opposed to self serving politicism). the obvious choice will likely win in the end after the beauraucratic mucking is cleared away and the treachery is dropped.
American Worker | Dec 2, 2009 5:51 pm | 0 replies | Request removal

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