I expect EADS North America will soon amend or remove this job description, but here's the link. Check out the fifth bullet point. It confirms in print what many have already suspected: After KC-X EADS will also propose Airbus platforms to replace the E-4, E-3, E-8C and most likely the RC-135.
You can download a copy of the original job ad here: EADS_derivatives.pdf.
And you can read my quick news story about this development here.
You can download a copy of the original job ad here: EADS_derivatives.pdf.
And you can read my quick news story about this development here.
on August 26, 2008 10:23 AM | Reply
The link's gone already! As for Airbus replacing all the other C-135 derived platforms (and others) in the US inventory would that spell the death knell for Boeing as a supplier of fixed wing military aircraft?
on August 26, 2008 11:14 AM | Reply
Well, not quite. Boeing has still got the 737 and all of its various military derivatives (ie C-40, P-8, Wedgetail, Peace Eagle, Korea AEW&C, etc.) The UAE may soon buy the 737 for AEW&C as well. They will also compete for NextGen LRS. The executives also seem convinced that the C-17 and F/A-18 will last a lot longer than everybody thinks.