This is a discussion on KC-X goes to Northrop/EADS within the Air Force & Aviation forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; Word is coming through from the US that the A330-based Northrop/EADS KC-30 has won the USAF KC-X competition!
In service ...
now will it
a) survive the protests
b) survive Congress
c) survive the next administration which might look to do a little pruning of the military in general
now will it
a) survive the protests
b) survive Congress
c) survive the next administration which might look to do a little pruning of the military in general
Thats a petty blank statement. I don't see the military spending being reduced anytime soon with the current crisis the U.S. Military is in right now. There might be a few protest but those people are just wasting their time.
now will it
a) survive the protests
b) survive Congress
c) survive the next administration which might look to do a little pruning of the military in general
a-b) Most people don't know a problem existed. I think any protesting has already run its coarse. The buyer protesting, doesn't reflect well on the methods he/she has used in the past, and I can't imagine they believe tax payers will have confidence in what they want to buy in the future. If congress protests (i think it's a done deal), then the possibility opens up for endless questions. I'm not sure that this is in the interest of any politicians nor the company that would have to explain all of the problems.
c)There are a lot of calculations here. I've already seen numerous signe requests from Congressmen on both sides, stating "the need" to keep the production of the F-22 running.
The modified Airbus A330 aerial refueling tanker "gives us more," said Air Force Secretary Michael W. Wynne. "More fuel to offload, more cargo, more passengers, more availability, more flexibility, more dependability and more ability to move patients."
I don't want to start a this vs. that discussion, but I want to state that there are some reasons for the A330 and part of that is that it's a very, very economical and reliable plane and almost a decade ahead of the 767 as far as wing design, cockpit layout and several others are concerned. It always was my impression and that of fellow engineers that a win by Boeing would be a pure political step, that's why everyone expected it btw. Congratulations to the USAF really, for making a sound decision and risking outrage.
Boeing promised to created 40,000 jobs in US had they won and EADS is promising less than half of that amount . With the US economy on the verge of a recession this could become a big political issue.
Congress can block funding for the contract which is possible. Boeing will likely appeal the contract since it could worth up to $100 billion and lobby congress hard to review the deal.
Edit: Seems like they have started lobbing already.
Quote:
"It's stunning to me that we would outsource the production of these airplanes to Europe instead of building them in America," said Republican Senator Sam Brownback about the Pentagon's decision.
Quote:
"We should have an American tanker built by an American company with American workers," said Republican Representative Todd Tiahrt.
"I cannot believe we would create French jobs in place of Kansas jobs."
Wouldn't this be an appropriate time to contemplate a 'this vs that' discussion? To heck with the jobs, is this the KC-30 a better tool for our warfighters? If so, as appears likely, cheers for the DoD for bravely selecting the superior plane.
All the stats I have seen show the EADS plane to have superior range, fuel capacity and cargo capacity. If there is any element of aircraft performance where the Boeing offering is superior on technical merits - I haven't seen it.
Boeing promised to created 40,000 jobs in US had they won and EADS is promising less than half of that amount . With the US economy on the verge of a recession this could become a big political issue.
Congress can block funding for the contract which is possible. Boeing will likely appeal the contract since it could worth up to $100 billion and lobby congress hard to review the deal.
Edit: Seems like they have started lobbing already.
They've done quite a lot of lobbying before. Interesting nevertheless that none of them hillbillys noticed the plane will be built in America, by American workers in a new factory, with an American lead contractor and some parts replaced in favor of American stuff.
BTW if you read the numbers carefully you'll notice that to secure otherwise dooomed and to ceate new jobs are different things and in combination with the fact that the A330 isn't as much at the end of it's commercial life as the 767 is, the claculation looks much different.
Fact is, the KC-45 is the best plane for the job. Long live the freedom fries.
Thats a petty blank statement. I don't see the military spending being reduced anytime soon with the current crisis the U.S. Military is in right now. There might be a few protest but those people are just wasting their time.
Military spending in the U.S. is simple. A Democratic President= less military spending. A Republican= more military spending.
A Democratic President= less military spending. A Republican= more military spending.
