Tanker talk heats up

The date is drawing near for the expected release of the U.S. Air Force’s final aerial refueling tanker requirements.

And backers for both the Boeing Co. and duo Northrop Grumman and EADS are making noise.

Here are few recently published opinion pieces:

“Top 8 reasons to pick Boeing tanker.”

“Airbus’s contract: America’s job growth plan for France.”

Both of the above pro-Boeing pieces argue that Airbus/EADS’ track record on its A400 military aircraft should be seen as a major strike against awarding the $35 billion contract to Northrop-EADS.

“Michigan has big stake in contract for air tanker.”

In the above pro-Northrop piece, the author argues that Northrop’s tanker based on new technology and is more capable than is Boeing’s. The author supports a split buy if the Air Force can’t appease the competitors.

In related news, the European Union isn’t happy with the World Trade Organization’s estimated release of a preliminary ruling on Airbus’ claims that Boeing received unfair subsidies. The ruling likely will come out just as the Air Force announced its winner for the tanker. For more, read this BusinessWeek story.