On 24 February, the US Air Force announced its decision in the nearly 10-year long process of finding a replacement for its Eisenhower-era KC-135 and Reagan-era KC-10 tanker aircraft fleets. The hot competition between the teams of Boeing and EADS (formerly also including Northrop Grumman) had entered its third round and a decision on the replacement of the Air Force’s ageing tankers became more and more urgent. “What we can tell you is Boeing was a clear winner,” said Deputy Defense Secretary William J. Lynn III, adding that the competition was fair, open and transparent. Some observers of the entire process, which started around 2002, may object to this view ... at least some will smile. Until the last minute there were many different views, opinions and forecasts, including all possible scenarios: Boeing, EADS or a mixed solution. Some may argue that, EADS being a European company and amid discussions on prohibited trade subsidies, the European aerospace-giant never stood a fair chance against its US-based rival. However, EADS came very close to success in the KC-X competition, even winning the initial competition in 2008 with its partner Northrop Grumman. Yet, this is history (which can be followed throughout the news archive of defpro.com) and, after having expressed their disappointment, even the EADS looks ahead: “Though we had hoped for a different outcome, it’s important to remember that this is one business opportunity among many for EADS in the United States,” said Sean O’Keefe, CEO of EADS North America.Boeing, which provided a bid that was slightly lower-priced that that of its competitor, summarised its victory as follows: “In selecting the Boeing NewGen Tanker after a lengthy and rigorous proposal process, the Air Force has chosen an American-built, multi-mission tanker that is based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane and meets all requirements at the lowest risk for the warfighter and the best value for taxpayers.” Further, Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman, president and CEO, stated: “Our team is ready now to apply our 60 years of tanker experience to develop and build an airplane that will serve the nation for decades to come.”EADS North America announced that it will review the Air Force’s decision. However, according to defence analysts it is unlikely that the Air Force will accept any protest to its decision, which would further prolong a story that has already been called “never-ending” in the past. Too much would be at stake: the taxpayers’ money, urgently needed warfighter support and, not least, credibility. (nvk)
Boeing was awarded a $3.5 billion contract in the KC-X competition. Boeing Selected in Third Round of US Air Force Future Tanker Competition 10:33 GMT, February 25, 2011 defpro.com | The first of two sentences of the summarised point in the daily announcements of contracts valued more than $5 million by the US Department of Defense regarding the US Air Force tanker contract reads as follows: “The Boeing Co. of Seattle, Washington, was awarded a fixed price incentive firm contract valued at over $3.5 billion for the KC-X Engineering and Manufacturing Development which will deliver 18 aircraft by 2017.”* A quick read for a long ... very long story that has finally come to an end.
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