Last week, I speculated on this blog that Airbus may use a KC-X contract win to shift more commercial aircraft assembly operations from Toulouse to Mobile, Alabama.
Since I never really know if I'm making a good guess or just talking crazy, it's nice to see more knowledgable experts saying basically the same thing.
To wit: aerospace analyst Scott Hamilton wrote yesterday on his excellent online newsletter:
If Northrop gets the KC-30 contract, Airbus can start producing the A330- 200F in Mobile (AL), right alongside the KC-30. Given the weakness of the US dollar, Airbus badly needs to shift production to a dollar-based cost center. The KC-30 production line in Mobile would enable this for the A330 freighter, which proved a popular this year for sales. Would such a US line open the way for other Airbus products to be produced here? This may sound far-fetched, but the foot-in-the-door may lead the way.
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