Congress Erupts Over Air Force Tanker Contract

Right in a Left World


Stunned by the announcement of Washington States Boeing being beat out on the new Air Force Tanker contract by Northrop Gruman/EADs to replace the aging fleet of aerial tankers, Senator Patty Murray says she is “shocked, angry, and wants answers.”

The Boeing Company, based in the Seattle area of Washington State, was the odds on favorite to win the contract to build a new fleet of aerial tankers, a potential $40 Billion for the first 80 tankers. The Boeing 767, nearing the end of its commercial life was to be the frame the offered tankers were to be based on.

Northrop’s KC-30, based on the EADs Airbus 330 passenger jet ended up winning the contract. The 330 is bigger, enabling it to carry 20 percent more fuel, 20 percent more passengers, and 30 percent more cargo. It can also carry 45,000 pounds more fuel than Boeing's KC-767. It will be designated the KC-45 when pressed into service.

The loss of the contracts means that Boeing’s 767 line may wind to a close by 2012 when the commercial orders run out, costing Boeing and Washington State a potential of 9,000 new jobs.

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A bi-partisan letter sent to both Secretary of Defense, Robert M. Gates and Secretary of the Air Force, Michael W. Wynne asks why the promised debriefing hasn’t taken place and that it be initiated immediately.

Duncan Hunter, Republican Representative from California and ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee has tried several times to insert legislation into the defense authorization bill that would prohibit the Pentagon from awarding contracts to foreign companies that receive government subsidies, thwarted each time by Sens. John McCain (R-Az.) and John Warner (R-Va.) and others who have challenged the language.............