An Airbus Tanker?

"Ol Shy & Bashful" wrote in message
...
On Mar 1, 7:46 am, "Jay Honeck" wrote:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080301/...p_eads_air_for...

Whooo-weee. The political feathers are gonna fly on *this* one.

Now we're outsourcing the military, too?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Jay
The US Coast Guard has been flying the Italian Agusta for
years ......... Bell has been producing in Canada and Korea for
years .......
This is nothing new.



The USCG is flying Flacon jets also. The president will be flying around in Westland helicopters soon...

"John T" wrote in message m...
"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:s6dyj.56659$yE1.14950@attbi_s21
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080301/...r_force_tanker

Whooo-weee. The political feathers are gonna fly on *this* one.

Now we're outsourcing the military, too?

No doubt about the political consideration, but I have to ask about "The Grape."
(http://www.alexisparkinn.com/fuel_truck.htm) Why didn't you buy a junked American truck? Surely you could've found
one for a similar price if you'd just kept looking. Isn't this the same concept just scaled up to transport category?

I'm with you on the preference to "buy American," but as a taxpayer, I want the best deal for my money. Unfortunately,
that sometimes means buying something from a foreign provider. This does border on a whole web of issues that starts
with the question of "who will provide the materiel during times of war?" but I'm not going there. Suffice it to say
we all need to start thinking of a global economy - which in a strategic sense actually has a dampening effect on
conflict even if it does ruffle the occasional nationalistic feather or two.

--
John T
http://sage1solutions.com/blogs/TknoFlyer
http://sage1solutions.com/products
NEW! FlyteBalance v2.0 (W&B); FlyteLog v2.0 (Logbook)
____________________



No problem at all with me buying chinese or mexican stuff or other imported stuff, but as far as our military, we need
to maintain the capability to produce these core items in country, unless of course we are going to be sure that the
euros become a part of the US of A. It is pretty odd that no new states have joined the union in the last almost 50
years. Maybe it is time to ask more to join? hmmm, Puerto Rico said no....

On 2008-03-01 05:46:00 -0800, "Jay Honeck" said:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080301/...r_force_tanker

Whooo-weee. The political feathers are gonna fly on *this* one.

Now we're outsourcing the military, too?

Yeah. They should have bought an all-American plane like the 767, even
if the wings and fuselage are built by Canadair, Fujitsu, and Kawasaki.
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor

On 2008-03-05 14:33:40 -0800, "Blueskies" said:


"John T" wrote in message
m...
"Jay Honeck" wrote in message
news:s6dyj.56659$yE1.14950@attbi_s21
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080301/...r_force_tanker

Whooo-weee. The political feathers are gonna fly on *this* one.

Now we're outsourcing the military, too?

No doubt about the political consideration, but I have to ask about
"The Grape." (http://www.alexisparkinn.com/fuel_truck.htm) Why didn't
you buy a junked American truck? Surely you could've found one for a
similar price if you'd just kept looking. Isn't this the same concept
just scaled up to transport category?

I'm with you on the preference to "buy American," but as a taxpayer, I
want the best deal for my money. Unfortunately, that sometimes means
buying something from a foreign provider. This does border on a whole
web of issues that starts with the question of "who will provide the
materiel during times of war?" but I'm not going there. Suffice it to
say we all need to start thinking of a global economy - which in a
strategic sense actually has a dampening effect on conflict even if it
does ruffle the occasional nationalistic feather or two.

--
John T
http://sage1solutions.com/blogs/TknoFlyer
http://sage1solutions.com/products
NEW! FlyteBalance v2.0 (W&B); FlyteLog v2.0 (Logbook)
____________________



No problem at all with me buying chinese or mexican stuff or other
imported stuff, but as far as our military, we need to maintain the
capability to produce these core items in country, unless of course we
are going to be sure that the euros become a part of the US of A. It is
pretty odd that no new states have joined the union in the last almost
50 years. Maybe it is time to ask more to join? hmmm, Puerto Rico said
no....

We have not been able to supply our military without imported materials
and weapons since before the end of WW II. The Boeing 767 tanker was
mostly made in Canada, Japan and China. And then there is the problem
with raw materials, which come from all over the world.
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor

On 2008-03-01 05:46:00 -0800, "Jay Honeck" said:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080301/...r_force_tanker

Whooo-weee. The political feathers are gonna fly on *this* one.

Now we're outsourcing the military, too?

The more interesting question is, if the Air Force wanted a bigger
tanker, why did they discourage Boeing from offering the 777?
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor

Neil Gould wrote:
Recently, Matt Whiting posted:

Jay Somerset wrote:
What nonsense! The "Europeans" did not submit the bid. The prime
contractor was Northrop Grumman -- an American company. EADS is
merely a subcontractor (aka teaming partner).
Technically, yes, but from what I've read they are basically building
the entire airframe. It isn't clear what Northrop Grumman's role is
other than final fitment for delivery and probably they will provide
the service and support. Anyone find anything detailed as to what
they are doing vs. EADS?

I'm not sure it matters as I don't think this award will stick,
especially not during an election year and one in which the economy is
struggling.

I wouldn't bet on that. The reality is that there are no purely "American"
products of the complexity of an automobile. Boeing has outsourced the
manufacturing of most of its airframes as well, and only does some final
assembly and fitting out here. So, in the eyes of the purchaser (e.g. U.S.
Government) there is no significant distinction between these two bids.

Maybe, maybe not. If Boeing commits to providing 3X the domestic jobs
as does Northrop Grumman/EADS, then once the constituents start calling
their congress critter you never know what will happen.

Kind of like Florida and Michigan talking about a "do over" to help
elect Billary. It isn't over until it's over as a famous philosopher
once said. :-)

Matt

Thomas Borchert wrote:
Jay,

Whooo-weee. The political feathers are gonna fly on *this* one.


They did quite a while ago already. DoD had to reopen the bid, IIRC,
because of irregularities favoring "local" bidders.

Also, the thing is going to be built in Alabama.

Oh, and in case you didn't hear: The president will be choppered around
in a European design Marine One shortly, too.

I'm not sure about the shortly part. Rumor is that this program is way
behind schedule...

C J Campbell wrote:
On 2008-03-01 05:46:00 -0800, "Jay Honeck" said:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080301/...r_force_tanker


Whooo-weee. The political feathers are gonna fly on *this* one.

Now we're outsourcing the military, too?

The more interesting question is, if the Air Force wanted a bigger
tanker, why did they discourage Boeing from offering the 777?

Because of the kick-backs from Northrop Grumman. Do you really not
understand these things? :-)

On Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:34:34 GMT, Matt Whiting
wrote in :

once the constituents start calling their congress critter you
never know what will happen.

Right. Congress could pass another Terri Schivo bill. :-(

"C J Campbell" wrote in message
news:2008030606343216807-christophercampbell@hotmailcom...
On 2008-03-05 14:33:40 -0800, "Blueskies" said:


No problem at all with me buying chinese or mexican stuff or other imported stuff, but as far as our military, we
need to maintain the capability to produce these core items in country, unless of course we are going to be sure that
the euros become a part of the US of A. It is pretty odd that no new states have joined the union in the last almost
50 years. Maybe it is time to ask more to join? hmmm, Puerto Rico said no....

We have not been able to supply our military without imported materials and weapons since before the end of WW II. The
Boeing 767 tanker was mostly made in Canada, Japan and China. And then there is the problem with raw materials, which
come from all over the world.
--
Waddling Eagle
World Famous Flight Instructor


Basic raw materials, yes, but 'specialty metals' must come from any one of I think 5 countries. If not you are in
violation of the US of A guvment contract as a military contractor. Fines and etc follow if you are caught. There are
other clauses that keep some core capabilities intact....