klc317

Looks like our Air Force will be flying A330s as tankers soon....

Northrop Grumman gets $40B deal to replace Air Force tankers - CNN.com

coolos

Yes, that is making my day.
Good new finally for the US economy and Army. Now theuy are going to get proper planes

Bill-ay

They aircraft they operate now are great. They are probably some of the safest aircraft in the world due to the great shape the military keeps them in.
Just an FYI, you cant really speak for the USA, as you dont even live here.

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corby78

I was really rooting for the 767. Boeing has made a lot of great planes for the USAF...........not sure why coolos thinks the army will be using the tankers?!?!?! but oh well.

ccs757

I would like to see a tanker version of the 777!!!

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coolos

Th KC-135 were excellent plane but they have made there time.
I trully care about the US economy because it influence the word economy (BTW, do you know where I am? Never only base you statement on what you see). If it is going fine there, everybody is happy. That shopuld be the case.

The decision taken today (if it is really confirmed) will change things for the US air force in the good way.
It is a hard time for the chicago-based Boeing company (you remember that they relocalized) that is now more an integration company than a plane manufacturer (see the 787, more than 30% is develloped and build outside the US, in Japan and Italy for example). But Boeing has the base to one day retake the lead, I am sure about that and look forward for this day.

coolos

If Boeing did proposed the 777 I am pretty sure that Northrop would have lost the contract, 150% sure.

Time now to change some (or most) of Boeing top managment.

B-16707

beautiful! cant wait to add this jet to my model collection!

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Justino

I was really hoping the 767 would make it in. I always supported that "Bigger Isnt Better" idea becuase it made sense to me, but I guess the selection board thought otherwise. But congrats to Northrup Grumman/EADS/Airbus and any other company involved with the thing.

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D-AIHC

The few articles I read leading to this all said this contract was for Boeing to lose...and they did just that! I am truly surprised with this decision!!! I guess Northrop-Grumman/EADS has Sen. John McCain to thank for uncovering the scandal:

Cashing In For Profit?, Who Cost Taxpayers Billions In Biggest Pentagon Scandal In Years? - CBS News

(Note: The article is more than 3 years old)

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corby78

coolos, acording to Defense News both jets are primarily made in the U.S., but I agree with justino, that though it can't carry as much fuel the cost of operation would be lower, and Boeing has a long history of working with the USAF.

D-AIHC

It's just unbelievable what's happening in the US Congress:

Congress in turmoil over Air Force tanker decision - Yahoo! News

"Conventional wisdom was running so strongly against Northrop-EADS in some corners of Capitol Hill that Texas Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison's office issued a statement late on Friday declaring Boeing the winner. It was swiftly retracted."

I don't blame her or her staff for the mistake because like I said earlier, the contract was Boeing's to lose!

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LOT 737-300

Yup, I recall that the KC-330 was to be built in Mobile, Alabama. So techinically, it is a US plane. I am suprised that the KC-330 got it and not the KC-767. Not so much because of the US design vs. EU design BS but more fore the size debate that kept popping up.

You realize that a lot of the parts that go into EADS products (primarly the airliners and airliner based aircraft) are produced and designed outside of Europe, do you?

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MarinerOne

This award to Northrup-Grumman/EADS is only a part of the overall contract.

Could the second phase of the contract be awarded to Boeing?

There are about 500 KC-135s needing to be replaced, and this contract is good for up to about 179 KC-330s.

Do you think they are doing this just to keep Boeing honest? The article I read is that the 767 production line won't shut down until 2012, so perhaps in another couple of years, at least before the line shuts down, Boeing might be awarded the second phase of the contract?

Do you think the Air Force would want to use two types of refueling planes?

D-AIHC

You're right, the B767 production line won't shut down until 2012 and that's because UPS' latest B763F order for 27 airframes is scheduled for delivery between 2009 and 2012:

Boeing: Boeing and UPS Finalize Major 767 Freighter Order

"The Boeing Company today confirmed an order by UPS, the world's largest package delivery company, for 27 Boeing 767-300 Freighters -- an order, when all are delivered, that will nearly double the UPS 767 Freighter fleet.

The 27 new airplanes are slated for delivery beginning in 2009, extending into 2012."

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coolos

Yes and nobody is offended in Europe about that. There is at least 30% of each Airbus that is US made, not including the engines (ex GE).

coolos

I think Boeing had simply based its strategy on the fact that the AF would NEVER order the Northrop solution because of the ties with EADS.
They never seriously considered that their offering was simply not good although all analysts did. Read for example this article: Boeing seen as odds-on favorites for Air Force tanker contract from the Chicago Tribune.

I am myself extremelly shocked (on the positive way) by the US Air Force and Pentagone, as are most of the analyst. We all know that the KC-30 is a better offer (in all terms, technically and industrially, it is a Win-Win) but I would have not bet a kopek on Northrop.

It is really a revolution that will make history and I am glad to witness it.

I understand that many are dissapointed and post angry reaction (but I don't support these comments). It is the result of years of 'bul****ting' strategies from Boieng (no offense here). I hope they will now change their behaviour, fire most of the heads responsible of this mess and return to the lead as an airplane maker, and no longer as a money-making businness.

corby78

It is interesting that you bring up the fact about possibly still ordering some tankers from boeing. Just think about how many jets the USAF has with the 707 base. From AWACS to RJ to JSTARS, they will all need to be replaced in the next 10-20 years or so, and it will be more efficiant to be based off a common airframe if possible. If they use both the 767 and A330 for the tanker they might have a base to decide on the future considerations.

Darryl

Boeing should have pushed the 777-200F.