Timing is everything. The exact minute (12:23 p.m.) the Associated Press moved a breaking news alert that the GAO had upheld Boeing’s protest on the aerial tanker contract, Northrop Grumman sent out a news release announcing the “Groundbreaking ceremony for the U.S. Air Force KC-45 Tanker Production Facilities” in Mobile, Ala. As Lee Corso would say, “Not so fast, my friend!”
Today’s decision means there may not be a KC-45. And if there is, it probably won’t fly anytime soon. If the Air Force does what the GAO suggests, reopen the bidding, it will be some time before any new tankers are flying. That’s unfortunate because the losers are the men and women who have to fly and service the ancient tankers the Air Force currently uses.
Before Boeing gets too giddy about today’s decision, remember that none of this would have happened if Boeing hadn’t screwed up the initial tanker deal in 2003.
One Comment
Tom, ol buddy. That’s my company your pounding on. If you think about it, little miss Payton pulled the same thing that Darlene Drunyan did when she was at Boeing. Payton distorted the facts and the numbers to make Airbus look like it was the King. I think that congress should launch an inquiry to find out how and why the numbers were fudged to favor Airbus.
What is going to happen if the USAF decides to stay its course, those senators and congressmen who sided with TT will vote to cut funding for the project. Thats great for the people who are in the spares business which leads me to ask. Just where will the USAF get the spares for the A330 and will they get them in a timely manner. AOG’s need parts immediately and God forbid we do anything to upset the French.
I’m just curious as to what’s going to happen if Airbus loses out. Are they going to leave Mobile hangin for the costs of building the 600 million dollar plant and will they keep their promise to allow Northrop to build the A330 cargo plane?