Boeing Formally Protests US Air Force Tanker Contract Award

On Mar 12, 4:43 pm, john smith wrote:
I suspect that if the government went back to the competitive flyoff for
determining the winner (as was done with the F-16/F-17; F-22/F23;
F-32/F-35) we would see a clear cut winner.

Let Boeing and EADS build two or three copies of each at their own
expense, let the Air Force crews test them out for 6-/12-months then let
the chips fall where they may.

Airbus would win since their design actually exists and is flying
today while Boeing's is just a proposal.

Don't you have that backward? Boeing's 767 tanker is flying in Italy (and
another country. Japan?) today and has been for a couple of years. EADS has
never built a tanker.

Bob Gardner

"xyzzy" wrote in message
...
On Mar 12, 4:43 pm, john smith wrote:
I suspect that if the government went back to the competitive flyoff for
determining the winner (as was done with the F-16/F-17; F-22/F23;
F-32/F-35) we would see a clear cut winner.

Let Boeing and EADS build two or three copies of each at their own
expense, let the Air Force crews test them out for 6-/12-months then let
the chips fall where they may.

Airbus would win since their design actually exists and is flying
today while Boeing's is just a proposal.

Bob Gardner wrote:

EADS has never built a tanker.

Really ?

You seem to be confused.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A330_MRTT

A330 MRTT / KC-30B
Type Aerial refuelling and transport
Manufacturer EADS (Airbus)
Maiden flight 15 June 2007

Graham

Bob Gardner wrote:

EADS has never built a tanker.

Really ?

You seem to be confused.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A330_MRTT

A330 MRTT / KC-30B
Type Aerial refuelling and transport
Manufacturer EADS (Airbus)
Maiden flight 15 June 2007

Graham

So they have eight months of tanker experience (that may be generous)
versus how many DECADES for Boeing?

Ron Lee

I assume that your diatribe was aimed at the OP, not at me. Another point in
Boeing's favor: they have a 767 production line and skilled workers in
Everett right now...EADS would have to build an assembly plant in Mobile and
hire aerospace workers from......???

Bob Gardner

"Ron Lee" wrote in message
...
Bob Gardner wrote:

EADS has never built a tanker.

Really ?

You seem to be confused.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A330_MRTT

A330 MRTT / KC-30B
Type Aerial refuelling and transport
Manufacturer EADS (Airbus)
Maiden flight 15 June 2007

Graham

So they have eight months of tanker experience (that may be generous)
versus how many DECADES for Boeing?

Ron Lee

"Bob Gardner" wrote:

I assume that your diatribe was aimed at the OP, not at me. Another point in
Boeing's favor: they have a 767 production line and skilled workers in
Everett right now...EADS would have to build an assembly plant in Mobile and
hire aerospace workers from......???

Maiden flight 15 June 2007

Graham

So they have eight months of tanker experience (that may be generous)
versus how many DECADES for Boeing?

Ron Lee



You are correct. June 2007 to Feb 2008 is about eight months plus or
minus.

Ron Lee

On Mar 12, 8:54*pm, "Bob Gardner" wrote:

Another point in Boeing's favor: they have a 767 production line and skilled workers in
Everett right now...EADS would have to build an assembly plant in Mobile and
hire aerospace workers from......???


Boeing definitely has an advantage there, but it's amazing to me that
they based their tanker on the 767-200 and not the stretch 767-300 or
-400. One of the USAF requirements was the flexibility of the aircraft
to be used as a transport, augmenting the C-5 & C-17 fleet. Now with
over half the C-5s being retired (the C-5As) the extra lift from the
KC-45A will be significant. Boeing even considered a tanker/transport
version of the 777 but decided against it.

Ron Lee wrote:

Bob Gardner wrote:

EADS has never built a tanker.

Really ?

You seem to be confused.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A330_MRTT

A330 MRTT / KC-30B
Type Aerial refuelling and transport
Manufacturer EADS (Airbus)
Maiden flight 15 June 2007


So they have eight months of tanker experience (that may be generous)
versus how many DECADES for Boeing?

What does KC135 experience have to do with it ? In any event, EADS is
supplying the AIRFRAMES, and jolly fine airframes they are too. Northrop
Grumman is doing the tanker conversion stuff for this contract. Do you
have a problem with Northrop Grumman ?

Airbus have shown a consistent ability to deliver the goods over the
years too. They don't outsell Boeing by accident.

Graham

Eeyore wrote in
:



Ron Lee wrote:

Bob Gardner wrote:

EADS has never built a tanker.

Really ?

You seem to be confused.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A330_MRTT

A330 MRTT / KC-30B
Type Aerial refuelling and transport
Manufacturer EADS (Airbus)
Maiden flight 15 June 2007


So they have eight months of tanker experience (that may be generous)
versus how many DECADES for Boeing?

What does KC135 experience have to do with it ?

What have you got to do with it , planespotter?



Bertie

On Mar 12, 5:56*pm, "Bob Gardner" wrote:
Don't you have that backward? Boeing's 767 tanker is flying in Italy (and
another country. Japan?) today and has been for a couple of years. EADS has
never built a tanker.


Japan got their first tanker just last month.