The Associated Press is reporting that the Office of the Secretary of Defense, not the Air Force, will oversee a rebid of the long and storied Air Force tanker competition, citing Congressional sources.
The $35 billion KC-45A refueling contract will again pit the Northrop Grumman/EADS against Boeing. Reports have yet to indicate if Boeing is again offering the KC-767, though an expedited acquisition process would indicate Boeing is likely to offer the 767 as the platform for the KC-45A instead of the larger 777 or even 787.
The plan, which hands control to the Pentagon's top acquisition chief and sets up a dedicated source-selection committee, indicates that senior civilians at the Defense Department have lost confidence in the Air Force's ability to manage the contract.
The $35 billion KC-45A refueling contract will again pit the Northrop Grumman/EADS against Boeing. Reports have yet to indicate if Boeing is again offering the KC-767, though an expedited acquisition process would indicate Boeing is likely to offer the 767 as the platform for the KC-45A instead of the larger 777 or even 787.
on July 9, 2008 11:12 PM | Reply
I've read comments to the effect that:
Boeing didn't "bother" to develop a refueling system to USAF specifications.
NG spent a billion dollars to do just that.
The EADS aircraft cannot meet AF requirements for speed envelope & field diversity.
If all the above are true, then try this scenario:
Boeing makes several hundred of each (767/777/787) size airframe & NG integrates the refueling system.
Boeing provides a common cockpit & flight software.
In a perfect world:
USAF gains a diversified refu fleet with a common refu system. NG & southern states gain employment.
Trade unions are (relatively) happy. EADS has received or has asked for more than this contract in launch aid for the 380/350/320x, so they had better not complain. Congress dodges the bullet, and the fundamental principle of making your own weapons is satisfied.
Just saying...
on July 10, 2008 11:35 AM | Reply
Just saying you sayed...
And thinking?
on July 11, 2008 1:03 AM | Reply
Just a common cockpit for 787/767/777. Never managed by Boeing to date.
Just saying