Casino67 Posted February 22, 2011 Share Posted February 22, 2011 Forbes.com:WASHINGTON -- Even by Pentagon standards, it's an eye-popping prize: a $35 billion contract to build nearly 200 giant airborne refueling tankers. And the decade-long brawl by two defense industry titans to win it has been just as epic.In a matter of weeks - if not days - the Pentagon will announce whether Chicago-based Boeing ( BA - news - people ) Co. or European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company (EADS) will build 179 new tankers to replace the Air Force's Eisenhower-era KC-135 planes.The competition is far more complex than a case of the U.S. against Europe. If Boeing wins, the air tanker would be built in Everett, Wash., Wichita, Kan., and several other states. If EADS wins, the tanker would be assembled in Mobile, Ala., at the former Brookley military base that was shuttered in the 1960s.Either way, about 50,000 jobs would be created in the U.S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Casino67 Posted February 24, 2011 Author Share Posted February 24, 2011 Breaking News Air Force awards $35B contract to build air tankers to Boeing Co. - AP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted February 24, 2011 Share Posted February 24, 2011 Money talks. They outlobbied EADS. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Is Boeing union? How about EADS? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabre86 Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Is Boeing union? How about EADS? Yes, Boeing is union. EADS is European/French. Regardless of where the plans were going to be built if Airbus won, I do not want our aircraft being designed and built by the French. The first time our military did something they didn't like, they embargo some part only they can supply and every aircraft would be grounded. Regardless of where Boeing is located or if they are union or not, they are one of America's largest exporters in terms of $$$, and given how many billions Airbus gets every year in free money from the EU, there was no reason to award Airbus this contract. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SrWoodchuck Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 Is Boeing union? How about EADS? Yes, Boeing is union. EADS is European/French. Regardless of where the plans were going to be built if Airbus won, I do not want our aircraft being designed and built by the French. The first time our military did something they didn't like, they embargo some part only they can supply and every aircraft would be grounded. Regardless of where Boeing is located or if they are union or not, they are one of America's largest exporters in terms of $$$, and given how many billions Airbus gets every year in free money from the EU, there was no reason to award Airbus this contract. Sabre86! It may be sour grapes, but I went to Al.com [Alabama.com?] to check EADS & there was a lot of speculation about: Boeing headquarters = Chicago = Rahm = Boeing gets contract Boeing = Union shop & EADS gets some parts from Europe & non-union shops, but assembled non-union in the USA = Boeing gets contract Obama has consistently chosen programs & edicts that "punish" the South & reward liberal union states = Boeing gets contract Air Force wanted EADS tanker which is bigger & already successfully operating; while Boeings new tanker still sits on a drawing board Some background on this: This contract was due to be awarded in 2001, but was shelved after a Boeing exec was charged with collusion on bidding the contract. This contract was already awarded by the Air Force, but Boeing sued & convinced Congress to re-open the bidding. I have to say.....from where I sit it looks like Chicago politics, and I'm sorry to see Alabaman's shafted by politics as usual. BTW: All 50,000 jobs were going to be in the USA; with some parts shipped from Europe. EADS was planning on using this as an entry to the US market with more US jobs planned for research, development & manufacture of their Airbus 300. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sabre86 Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 I know the whole story. The original Boeing tanker deal was killed by McCain, who also helped rig the second one in favor of EADS. This is why it got overturned. As for where Boeing is located, only the corporate offices are in Chicago, and only because of the very nice tax breaks they were given after Washington and Seattle decided to try and strangle the goose for more $$$. Most of the work will be done in Washington and Kansas with some in California and elsewhere. I just cannot, for any reason, support EADS in anything. Read Birds of Prey: Boeing vs. Airbus: A Battle for the Skies, Dogfight: The Transatlantic Battle over Airbus, and Presumed Guilty: Brian Mulroney, The Airbus Affair, and the Government of Canada and you will see how the EU has worked for 20+ years to bankrupt and eliminate U.S. commercial aviation manufacturing. They got rid of McDonnell Douglas, which was absorbed by Boeing, and due to their ability to undercut Boeing by sometimes 70%, they came closer every year to doing the same thing to them. This is possible because the EU give Airbus billions in "loans" and then cancels them later, leaving the company with a lot of $$$ to makeup for their loses. I haven't seen figures lately, but until at least 2005, Airbus never, ever made a profit if the free, government money wasn't factored in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 (I am sure it is all on the up and up. Things were previously done above board.)sarcasm Darleen Druyun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Al_Simmons Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 (I am sure it is all on the up and up. Things were previously done above board.)sarcasm Darleen Druyun I hate to say the OBVIOUS, but she was a poster child for the (unable-to-make-it-in-the-private-sector-blood-sucking-government-bureaucratic-leech) "federal employees." Ugliness may be skin-deep, but stupidity is forever. And, friends, you got 2 for 1 with her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pepper Posted February 25, 2011 Share Posted February 25, 2011 EADS was awarded the bid three years ago, Boeing protested, and now won. “Only Chicago politics could tip the scales in favor of Boeing’s inferior plane,” [Alabama Senator Richard] Shelby said. “EADS clearly offers the more capable aircraft. If this decision stands, our warfighters will not get the superior equipment they deserve.” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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