Boeing Can’t Be Seen As Taking Advantage Of Being Sole Bidder
Filed under: Boeing, EADS, K-CX News, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News, northrop grumman
Now, that Boeing is the only bidder on the KC-X, the Seattle Times notes that Boeing now has to make sure that it is not seen as taking advantage of being the sole bidder:
Northrop Grumman walked away from the $40 billion Air Force refueling-tanker competition Monday, drawing a widely criticized and nearly decadelong procurement process close to an outright Boeing victory.
With the likely prospect of air tankers rolling out of Everett until around 2027 at least, the outcome could secure as many as 2,000 direct jobs in Everett and an additional 6,000 statewide at suppliers and others, according to previous Boeing estimates.
Yet Northrop’s withdrawal leaves Boeing with a pricing dilemma as it prepares a final bid. The Pentagon, embarrassed by the lack of competition, now will be under extra scrutiny over what it pays for its tankers.
On one hand, because the contract is a fixed price — meaning the winner must swallow the loss if program costs escalate beyond the price it bids — Boeing typically would be expected to aim high, especially with no competition.
At the same time, Boeing will want to avoid the appearance that it is taking advantage of Northrop’s withdrawal to jack up the price.
“This competition was supposed to be a model for future procurement,” said Issaquah-based aviation analyst Scott Hamilton of Leeham.net. “It’s clear the Department of Defense fell short again in running a procurement process that works.”
The contract is to supply the Air Force with 179 tankers used to refuel fighter, transport and bomber aircraft en route to their targets.
Northrop had teamed with EADS, parent of European planemaker Airbus, to offer a tanker based on the Airbus A330.
In 2008, the Defense Department cited a rough contract value of $35 billion, or about $196 million per airplane, plus an extra $5 billion in operational support and other costs.
Certainly, the rivalry in the previous round of the tanker competition between the Boeing 767 and the A330 drastically reduced the cost to the taxpayer.
Read the entire article at the Seattle Times.
Backers of Two Tanker Contracts Want To Stay Anonymous
Filed under: EADS, K-CX News, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., backers, bad news, campaign manager, detriment, e mail, grumman, mail exchange, northrop grumman, tankers, wichita eagle, women in uniform
The investors backing a campaign asking the government to split its contract for aerial refueling tankers between Boeing and Northrop Grumman want to remain anonymous for now. The campaign is called Build Them Both. “We are funded by a group of investors who have asked to remain nameless at this time,” said the effort’s campaign manager, Carrie Giddens. The group is not union sponsored and does not have ties to either Northrop or Boeing, Giddens said in an e-mail exchange. However, “we have sought out funding from both companies, their suppliers and unions who would be impacted by building them both.” The requests went out in the past two weeks. On Monday, Giddens called Northrop’s decision to pull out of the bidding process “bad news for American workers, our men and women in uniform, and for the taxpayer.” With only one company seeking a contract, 50,000 jobs that would have been created won’t be, Giddens said in the statement. “Without an ongoing competition there is no way to control costs, to the detriment of our military and taxpayer.”
Now Reports That EADS May Bid After All
Filed under: Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
There is a rumor that the Pentagon may delay the deadline for submission of a proposal for the KC-X to accommodate either a solo bid or another partnership. This contradicts what was reported yesterday that EADS-NA CEO Sean O’Keefe said the company wouldn’t bid without Northrop Grumman (NOC). It will be seriously difficult for the company to bid by itself. It would need to find another U.S. company to work with.
This might be second thoughts by DoD as they realize how difficult doing a single bid contract award will be. This is not a sole source contract but right now it would only receive one qualified offer.
Wall Street Journal Says Trans Atlantic Defense Deal Falters
The Wall Street Journal has weighed on the KC-X Tanker bid process, in an article entitled “Trans Atlantic Defense Deal Falters.” The article notes:The decision by Northrop Grumman Corp. and its European partner this week to drop out of a $40 billion competition to build aerial-refueling tankers for the Air Force is the latest example of how trans-Atlantic defense ventures have faltered. Many observers view the size of the tanker deal, and the prominent role played by Northrop partner European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co., as the most significant instance of how trans-Atlantic partnerships can get tripped up. Noorthrop billboard in Alabama in 2008 advertised a future tanker plant, but the company quit the project. “There’s no doubt that this outcome will reinforce the long-held understanding in Europe that the U.S. defense market is highly protected,” said Alex Nicholl, a specialist on European defense companies at the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies. “This is not the first time that the rules of a U.S. competition have been rewritten to suit the American competitor. No doubt it won’t be the last.”Read the entire article at theJournal.
EADS-NA Says Not Comfortable Priming KC-X Contract
Filed under: Alabama, EADS, General Dynamics, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman Corp., Raytheon, Syndicated Industry News
Aviation Week is reporting that EADS-North America felt it needed an partner on the KC-X contract as it was not comfortable being the prime for such a large effort. While EADS has experienced some decent growth in the U.S. it still has a fairly lean organization.
The company was confident that they could provide to Northrop the basic airframes on cost and schedule. Northrop would have then been responsible for the necessary military modifications. EADS would have had to find a partner in General Dynamics, Raytheon or Lockheed Martin. There would be few large contractors available in the U.S. with the past experience to support a contract of this size.
Spirit AeroSystems Named to Boeing Tanker Supplier Team — Press Release
Filed under: Boeing, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News
Spirit AeroSystems Named to Boeing Tanker Supplier Team
WICHITA, Kan., March 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR) has been named to the Boeing (NYSE:BA) NewGen Tanker Supplier Team. Boeing, Spirit’s largest customer, is bidding on the KC-X program, the U.S. Air Force’s next line of tanker aircraft.
Upon a contract award from the United States government to Boeing, Spirit will build the Boeing tanker’s forward fuselage section in Wichita, Kan. After completion, Spirit will ship the hardware to Boeing’s Everett, Wash., facility for final assembly.
“We’re honored to continue to build quality airplane assemblies for Boeing, and ultimately, for the United States Air Force,” said Richard “Buck” Buchanan, Spirit senior vice president and chief operations officer. “Spirit is proud to be part of the integrated Tanker Team, and is poised and ready to deliver world-class components to our customer.”
Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., said, “I am pleased that the men and women of Spirit AeroSystems will play such a significant role on the NewGen Tanker. The Boeing/Spirit Team has a strong track record of delivering superior value to their customers and I know they will continue this success in building the world’s finest tanker for the United States Air Force.”
U.S. Congressman Todd Tiahrt, R-Goddard., said, “The highly-skilled workers and engineers at Spirit AeroSystems are among the best in the world and will play an integral role in building the next generation of tankers. We are moving toward a tanker contract that will stimulate the aviation industry in Kansas and lead to even more high-quality, high-paying jobs. Spirit workers will provide nothing but the best components for the KC-767, and that is important for our military men and women to successfully carry out their missions.”
On March 4, Boeing announced it would offer the Boeing NewGen Tanker, an airplane based off of the 767 platform, in the competition to supply the U.S. Air Force with a multi-mission aerial refueling aircraft that will meet all the warfighter’s mission requirements for the next several decades.
Boeing will respond to the Air Force’s KC-X Request for Proposal by May 10, and the Air Force is expected to announce its decision later this year.
The contract will be for 179 new KC-X aerial refueling tankers.
On the web: http://www.spiritaero.com/
About Spirit AeroSystems, Inc.
Based in Wichita, Kan., Spirit AeroSystems is the world’s largest independent supplier of commercial airplane assemblies and components. In addition to its Kansas facility, Spirit has locations in Tulsa and McAlester, Okla.; Prestwick, Scotland; Samlesbury, England; Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; and is developing new manufacturing facilities in Kinston, N.C.; and Saint-Nazaire, France. In the U.S., Spirit’s core products include fuselages, pylons, nacelles and wing components. Additionally, Spirit provides aftermarket customer support services, including spare parts, maintenance/repair/overhaul, and fleet support services in North America, Europe and Asia. Spirit Europe produces wing components for a host of customers, including Airbus.
Source: Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc.
Still Some Support For Northrop
Filed under: Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
Congressman Howard McKeon (R-CA) put out a statement today supporting Northrop. He said that he was “disappointed that Northrop Grumman has decided not to submit a proposal to build the Air Force’s next generation aerial refueling tanker.” He would like Northrop to reconsider its position.
Northrop is currently headquartered in California and has several thousand employees there. It is planning on moving to the Washington DC area in the near future.
The decision leaves Boeing as the sole announced bidder.
Press Release — Statement on US Refueling Tanker Program Announcement
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News, Washington
Statement on US Refueling Tanker Program Announcement
WASHINGTON, March 9 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ — The European Commission notes yesterday’s decision by Northrop Grumman / EADS not to submit a bid to the US Department of Defense for the US Air Force’s aerial refueling tanker contract.
“It is highly regrettable that a major potential supplier would feel unable to bid for a contract of this type. Open procurement markets guarantee better competition and better value for money for the taxpayer,” stated EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht.
In February 2008, Northrop Grumman / EADS was selected and awarded the contract to provide aerial refueling tankers for the US Air Force in a fair and transparent competition. This was a positive sign for free and open competition across the Atlantic. This also seemed to indicate that successful bids are possible when European industry teams up with US industry and they are allowed to compete fairly. This award was subsequently cancelled at the end of 2008.
In December 2009, Northrop Grumman / EADS expressed serious concerns to the Department of Defense and the US Air Force on the proposed acquisition criteria for the contract.
The European Commission would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract.
The US defense trade balance with the EU has traditionally been significantly in the US’ favor. In 2008 the US exported $5 billion and imported only $2.2 billion worth of defense material, in line with a historic ratio of double exports to imports.
The Commission will be following further developments in this case very closely.
Source: Delegation of the European Union to the United States
Department of Defence Reacts To Northrop’s Decision Not To Bid on KC-X
Filed under: KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
Statement by Deputy Secretary William Lynn on Northrop Grumman Tanker Announcement
“We are disappointed by Northrop’s decision not to submit a bid for the U.S. Air Force tanker replacement program.
In the last tanker replacement (KC-X) competition, Northrop Grumman competed well on both price and non-price factors. We strongly believe that the current competition is structured fairly and that both companies could compete effectively.
Based on the inputs we received from both offerors to the Department’s draft Request for Proposal (RFP), we made changes to reduce the out-year risk to the potential manufacturers of KC-X. However, we did not change the war-fighters’ requirements to accommodate either offeror.
The Department strongly supports trans-Atlantic defense industrial ties and believes they benefit the American war-fighter and taxpayer.”
The statement was published here.
Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program — Press Release
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News
Statement From Northrop Grumman on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Program
WASHINGTON, March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — The following is a statement from Wes Bush, Chief Executive Officer and President of Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) , concerning the U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tanker program.
“After a comprehensive analysis of the final RFP, Northrop Grumman has determined that it will not submit a bid to the Department of Defense for the KC-X program. We reached this conclusion based on the structure of the source selection methodology defined in the RFP, which clearly favors Boeing’s smaller refueling tanker and does not provide adequate value recognition of the added capability of a larger tanker, precluding us from any competitive opportunity.
“Northrop Grumman fully respects the Department’s responsibility to determine the military requirements for the new tanker. In the previous competition, Northrop Grumman was selected by the Air Force as offering the most capable tanker for the warfighter at the best value for the taxpayer. However, the Northrop Grumman and EADS team is very disappointed that the revised source selection methodology now dramatically favors Boeing’s smaller refueling tanker. We agree that the fundamental military requirements for the new tanker have not changed since the last competition, but the Department’s new evaluation methodology now clearly favors the smaller tanker.
“We continue to believe that Northrop Grumman’s tanker represents the best value for the military and taxpayer – a belief supported by the selection of the A330 tanker design over the Boeing design in the last five consecutive tanker competitions around the globe. Regrettably, this means that the U.S. Air Force will be operating a less capable tanker than many of our Allies in this vital mission area.
“Our prior selection by the Air Force, our firm belief that we provide the best value offering, and the hard work and commitment of the many individuals and communities on our team over many years made this a difficult decision for our company. But we have a fiduciary responsibility to our shareholders to prudently invest our corporate resources, as do our more than 200 tanker team suppliers across the United States. Investing further resources to submit a bid would not be acting responsibly.
“We have decided that Northrop Grumman will not protest. While we feel we have substantial grounds to support a GAO or court ruling to overturn this revised source selection process, America’s service men and women have been forced to wait too long for new tankers. We feel a deep responsibility to their safety and to their ability to fulfill the missions our nation calls upon them to perform. Taking actions that would further delay the introduction of this urgent capability would also not be acting responsibly.
“We recognize that our decision likely creates a sole-source outcome for Boeing. We call on the Department to keep in mind the economic conclusions of the prior round of bidding as it takes actions to protect the taxpayer when defining the sole-source procurement contract. In the previous round, the Air Force, through a rigorous assessment of our proposal, determined that it would pay a unit flyaway cost of approximately $184 million per tanker for the first 68 tankers, including the non-recurring development costs. With the Department’s decision to procure a much smaller, less capable design, the taxpayer should certainly expect the bill to be much less.”
Northrop Grumman Corporation is a leading global security company whose 120,000 employees provide innovative systems, products, and solutions in aerospace, electronics, information systems, shipbuilding and technical services to government and commercial customers worldwide.
Source: Northrop Grumman Corporation
Reports That Northrop Won’t Bid
Filed under: Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Proposal, Syndicated Industry News
It is being reported that Northrop Grumman (NOC) will not submit a proposal in response to the new KC-X RFP released at the end of last month. Supposedly the announcement will be made after the markets close. Northrop had written to the DoD in December saying they most likely would not without changes in the RFP to make it fairer to the Airbus 330 based aircraft.
There is no word on whether EADS will find another partner or bid by themselves for the $35 billion contract.
Long Term Aircraft Plan Includes 109 KC-X Tankers
Filed under: Congress, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News, U.S. Navy
The Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps released to Congress their “Aircraft Investment Plan”. This lays out how many fixed wing aircraft they intend to buy and maintain through 2020. The U.S.A.F. intends to buy 109 tankers by that year at an estimated cost of over $30 billion.
The Air Force also plans to maintain a force of 223 C-17 and 91 C-5 heavy lift aircraft. The core of the services aircraft though will be the F-35 JSF with about 600 planned for purchase at the current schedule.
Press Release — Boeing Selects Pratt & Whitney to Power Boeing’s Proposed NewGen Tanker to be Offered to U.S. Air Force
Filed under: Boeing, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Pratt & Whitney, Syndicated Industry News, Washington
Boeing Selects Pratt & Whitney to Power Boeing’s Proposed NewGen Tanker to be Offered to U.S. Air Force
EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — In an announcement made today, Boeing said it is offering the Pratt & Whitney-powered NewGen Tanker as its platform for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X recapitalization program. Boeing’s proposal calls for the NewGen Tanker to be powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW4062 engine. Pratt & Whitney is a United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX) company.
“Pratt & Whitney is honored to partner with Boeing on the NewGen platform to be offered as America’s next generation of tankers for the U.S. Air Force’s KC-X program,” said Bill Begert, Pratt & Whitney Vice President of Military Business Development and Aftermarket Services. “The PW4000 engine has an exceptional track record of performance and reliability with numerous commercial customers operating the engine globally. We are confident it will meet Boeing and the U.S. Air Force’s performance requirements and expectations.”
Pratt & Whitney has delivered more than 2,500 PW4000-94″ commercial engines that collectively have logged more than 100 million flight hours on commercial aircraft around the world. The PW4062 is the highest thrust model in Pratt & Whitney’s PW4000-94″ commercial engine family and is offered for both commercial freighter and military tanker applications. Two PW4062 engines, each delivering 62,000 pounds of thrust, will power The Boeing Company’s NewGen Tanker.
The PW4000 family of engines includes models with thrust ratings ranging from 52,000 pounds to 98,000 pounds. These engines have an outstanding safety record, high reliability, excellent performance and low maintenance costs. The PW4000 family meets all required emissions and noise regulations, and offers superior fuel economy and maintainability. The PW4000-94″ engine operates commercially on Boeing 747, 767 and MD-11 aircraft and the Airbus A300/310 series.
This press release contains forward-looking statements concerning future business opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those projected as a result of certain risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to changes in government procurement priorities and practices, budget plans and availability of funding, and in the number of aircraft to be built; challenges in the design, development, production and support of advanced technologies; as well as other risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to those detailed from time to time in the companies’ Securities and Exchange Commission filings.
Pratt & Whitney is a world leader in the design, manufacture and service of aircraft engines, space propulsion systems and industrial gas turbines. United Technologies, based in Hartford, Conn., is a diversified company providing high technology products and services to the global aerospace and building industries.
Stephanie Duvall
Pratt & Whitney Military Engines
860.557.1382
stephanie.duvall@pw.utc.com
Source: Pratt & Whitney
Boeing Will Submit Proposal Based on K-767
Filed under: Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Kansas, Northrop Grumman Corp., Proposal, Syndicated Industry News, Washington
As it did in the last contest two years ago Boeing (BA) plans to submit a 767 based tanker. This is similar to the ones they are already building for Japan. To differentiate it from previous versions they are calling it a “NewGen” aircraft. Boeing will upgrade the basic 767 design with a new fueling boom and parts of the 787 cockpit technology.
There is still no formal word from Northrop Grumman (NOC) or EADS (EADS:P) if they plan to submit a proposal this time around.
EADS Supports Bid For KC-X
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Protest, Syndicated Industry News
It is being reported by various sources that EADS is pressuring Northrop Grumman to go ahead and submit a bid for the new KC-X RFP. Northrop had informed the Government that they planned not to if the terms were not significantly changed. They felt the RFP was favoring Boeing’s cheaper, smaller KC-767 aircraft.
The final RFP came out two weeks ago and still no word from Northrop that they will go ahead and submit something in May. EADS obviously would like another chance to win the contest after they lost the last one to Boeing’s protest in 2008. The $35 billion would go a long way to make up for the lost A400M revenue.
Boeing Unions Support Single Source Contract
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News, Washington
According to The Seattle Pilot-Intelligencer the International Association of Machinists District 751 wrote to the new Build Them Both Coalition that they support Boeing’s bid for the KC-X. They were responding to a letter sent to them by Build Them Both. The IAM argued that a split buy would not meet their goals of maximizing Washington jobs.
As Expected Alabama Press Critical Of Air Force RFP
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
Writing in support of Northrop Grumman and the “Mobile region” the Mobile Press-Register has and editorial summing up the situation on the new RFP from their view. They do not demand that the RFP be changed or the contract be given to Northrop and EADS but they do point out that:
“If Northrop pulls out of the contest, Boeing may get the tanker contract, but the entire deal will be tainted — first by Boeing’s own corruption and collusion with some Pentagon officials several years ago over an earlier version of the tanker deal, and second by a decision-making process that puts politics above defense needs.”
It is true that a single bid competition is not much of a competition.
New Group Advocating For Split Tanker Buy
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News, Washington
The Washington Post writes today about a new group buying advertisements to support the concept of buying KC-X tankers from both Boeing (BA) and Northrop Grumman (NOC). The group is called “Build Them Both” and its financiers have so far remained private. The idea of a split buy was floated last year but despite the ability to produce aircraft faster the related logistical costs are so high that the Air Force and DoD won’t consider it.
The article may be found here as the second part of the post.
Hopes High That This Try Is The End Of The KC-X Contest
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News, Washington
Over at BNET: Government where I also publish I have a piece on how this third try will be the winning one for the Air Force and Defense Department to get a new aircraft to replace the aging KC-135 fleet. There still remain many challenges with the contest as Northrop may not bid and Boeing has expressed concerns with the fixed price portion of the contract.
It will be an interesting next few months as this is all worked out. Next deadline is May 10th when proposals are due.
In Comparison To Those In Alabama Boeing Supporters Confident
Filed under: Airbus, Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News, Washington
The Herald a newspaper in Everett, WA has an article discussing how happy and confident Boeing’s legislator supporters are with the new RFP released yesterday by the Air Force. This is the opposite as to how those from Alabama feel. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) is quoted as saying, “Given a fair shot, Washington state’s workers will bring home this contract,” Murray said. “We have the skills, the technology, and the experience of having built the only combat-ready tanker to prove it.”
If Northrop Grumman (NOC) and its partner Airbus don’t submit a bid it will be hard for Boeing (BA) to not win the contract. Hence the happiness of their supporters.
Alabama Senators Not Happy With New RFP
Filed under: Alabama, Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Syndicated Industry News
In an article in The Mobile Press Register Senators Shelby (R-AL) and Sessions (R-AL) make it clear that they are not happy with the new RFP. Shelby says “The final RFP discredits the integrity of the entire process,” and Sessions seems to feel that Northrop Grumman (NOC) won’t bid. He laments the lack of competition in the process.
This of course is not a surprising reaction as Northrop and EADS planned to assemble the basic A330 aircraft in Mobile, AL and then integrate the military systems at a Northrop facility.
New RFP Released Today
Filed under: Boeing, Congress, Department of Defense, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Northrop Grumman Corp., Protest, Syndicated Industry News
The Air Force and Department of Defense acquisition officials briefed Congress and the press today on the new RFP for the KC-X. It had some slight changes from the draft release a few months ago. The key question is will Northrop bid this time around?
They won the last contract to have that thrown out on Boeing’s protest. Much more to come on this in the days ahead.
Trimble Questions New Group Lobbying For KC-X Split Buy
Filed under: Boeing, Congress, EADS, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News
UPDATE: Stephen Trimble has said the following in response to this post: I’m a headline! (Although I wasn’t really trying to “denounce” anybody — just raising questions.). So, I’ve changed “Denounce” to “Question” in both the title and the first sentence.
At Flight Global, Stephen Trimble has written a blog post questioning the formation of a new group that is lobbying for a split tanker buy:
Just when you might think the “split buy” idea for KC-X is dead and buried, it seems to be back today.
A self-described non-partisan coalition called American Jobs Now! has launched a well-funded push on Capitol Hill called “Build Them Both”. This is not a fly-by-night lobby group. Carrie Giddens, formerly communications director for the Iowa Democratic Party during the 2008 presidential election, is the newly-hired organizer. The group also published full-page advertisements in Politico (which published today) and tomorrow in The Hill newspaper. The ad says a split buy “will speed the delivery”, “retire an outdated fleet” and “will save taxpayers” money. Above all, the split buy will create “100,000 new US jobs”.
Let’s put our questions about those facts aside, just for the moment. (Not to get nit-picky, but surely a single project to build, at most, 25-30 aircraft a year will not consume one-seventh of the US aerospace workforce. Besides – wink, wink – those 100,000 aerospace workers are already busy building the last 40 F-22s.)
The big question, of course, is which side is this group on?
Trimble spends the rest of this column trying to get a clear answer to this question. If you are interested, go to Flight Global to read the rest.
Governors Support Boeing Tanker in DC Press Conference
Filed under: Boeing, Congress, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News
Seattle’s Channel 5 covered the Governor’s press conference on the KC-X Tanker contract, in Washington D.C, this afternoon. According to Channel 5:
At the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Washington state Gov. Chris Gregoire announced the launch of a bi-partisan coalition of governors to push for Boeing-built refueling tankers. It’s called the U.S. Tanker 2010 Coalition, and other states represented include Oregon, Kansas, Connecticut, Maine, Utah, Illinois, Missouri and Iowa – all states with a stake in the outcome, mostly as suppliers of parts.
“Together, we are going to make it known we’re going to fight for this work,” Gregoire said Monday.
Read more at King5.com.
Press Release: Governors organize national coalition to push for Boeing refueling tankers
Filed under: Boeing, Congress, KC-X, KC-X Tanker News, Syndicated Industry News
Tens of thousands of American jobs across the country depend on decision
OLYMPIA – Governors from states across the country are organizing a broad-based coalition to advocate for awarding the U.S. Air Force refueling tanker contract to the Boeing Company.
“Awarding the refueling tanker contract to Boeing will provide work for 40,000 to 50,000 people all across the country at a time when the national economy is still struggling mightily,” Washington Gov. Chris Gregoire said. “Boeing has a long history of making great tankers and is ready to start with these today. Boeing has the facilities, the technical expertise and the experienced work force to get the job done.”
The coalition is a bi-partisan effort committed to ensuring the tanker that is selected can produce the best product for the Air Force, will create the most American jobs and wisely spends taxpayer dollars.
Gregoire, who is spearheading the formation of the coalition, will be in Washington, D.C., on Monday, February 22, 2010 to make the case for an all-American refueling tanker. Joining Gregoire in the coalition are Governors Mark Parkinson of Kansas, Jodi Rell from Connecticut, Chet Culver of Iowa, John Baldacci of Maine, Jay Nixon of Missouri, Ted Kulongoski of Oregon and Gary Herbert of Utah.
Governors will speak at the National Press club on Monday, February 22, 2010 about the coalition and the case for buying the U.S. Tanker. For details contact Bill McSherry in the office of Gov. Gregoire at (206) 790-3167.
The Pentagon is expected to release the final tanker Request For Proposals (RFP) as early as Tuesday, February 23, 2010.
Event Date: Monday, Feb. 22
4:30 p.m. EST
Governors Parkinson and Gregoire to hold media availability
National Press Club, Murrow Room
Washington, D.C.
-
Search This Site
Custom Search -
-
-
-
-
Recent Posts
- Contracts for March 19, 2010
- Boeing Can’t Be Seen As Taking Advantage Of Being Sole Bidder
- House Armed Services Committee: Hearing on the FY 2011 Budget Requests from the U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. Northern Command
- Boeing Completes Preliminary Design of Free Electron Laser Weapon System
- House Armed Services Committee: Skelton Statement on Anniversary of Iraq Invasion
-
FREE Business Downloads
-
Latest Defense News
- Contracts for March 19, 2010
- Boeing Can’t Be Seen As Taking Advantage Of Being Sole Bidder
- Boeing Completes Preliminary Design of Free Electron Laser Weapon System
- House Armed Services Committee: Hearing on the FY 2011 Budget Requests from the U.S. Southern Command and the U.S. Northern Command
- House Armed Services Committee: Skelton Statement on Anniversary of Iraq Invasion
- JHPSSL Program Receives Acclaimed Laureate Award From Editors of Aviation Week and Space Technology Magazine
- Boeing Receives Additional Contract for Joint Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems
- Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Succeeds in First Vertical Landing
- House Armed Services Committee: Skelton to Introduce Legislation to Protect TRICARE
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 18, 2010
- Today in the Department of Defense, Friday, March 19, 2010
- Contracts for March 18, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Begins Installing First EHF Satcom Hardware on B-2
- Raytheon Missile Systems Establishes Air and Missile Defense Systems Product Line
- U.S. Department of Energy Selects Lockheed Martin to Advance Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion Utility Power Plans
- Raytheon Awarded $12 Million for Patriot Missile Field Surveillance Program
- Northrop Grumman Names Janis Pamiljans Vice President of the Navy Unmanned Combat Air System Program
- Northrop Grumman Names Steven L. Enewold Vice President of Broad Area Maritime Surveillance Unmanned Aircraft System Program
- House Armed Services Committee: Hearing on the FY 2011 Budget Requests from the U.S. Central Command, U.S. Special Operations Command, and U.S. Transportation Command
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 17, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Awarded Planning Contract for the Refueling and Complex Overhaul of USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72)
- Today in the Department of Defense, Thursday, March 18, 2010
- National Guard (In Federal Status) And Reserve Activated as of March 16, 2010
- Contracts for March 17, 2010
- India, the New Land of Opportunity for Defense Contractors
- Sage [Grouse] Decision: Why the Feds Refused to Flip the Bird at Power Players
- Today in the Department of Defense, Wednesday, March 17, 2010
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 16, 2010
- US Navy Flag Officer Announcement
- USAF General Officer Announcement (REPOSTED)
- DOD Senior Executive Service Appointments and Reassignments
- Contracts for March 16, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Delivers 500th Directional Infrared Countermeasures System
- Lockheed Martin Awarded Task Order for Continued Production of Symphony IED Jammer Systems
- General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems Awarded $31 Million Navy F/A-18 Mission Computer Contract
- Lockheed’s JSF is Overdue, Over Budget – and Too Big to Fail
- Norad Flight Exercise Planned For Washington, D.C.
- Deputy Commanding General (Support) to Brief Live from Iraq
- Contracts for March 15, 2010
- Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) Pinpoint Protection for Afghanistan
- Marinette Marine Facility Expansion to Enhance Lockheed Martin’s Littoral Combat Ship Program
- FI Report: Near-Term Growth Expected in Medium/Heavy Military Rotorcraft Market
- General Dynamics Itronix Launches New GDAssure(TM) Program that Certifies Customer Computer Systems Prior to Installation
- Lockheed Martin Delivers Innovative Full-Motion Video Intelligence System to USJFCOM
- General Officer Announcement
- USAF General Officer Assignments
- USMC Flag Officer Announcement
- Christopher Gregoire Named Lockheed Martin Vice President and Controller
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 15, 2010
- Today in the Department of Defense, Tuesday, March 16, 2010
- Now Reports That EADS May Bid After All
- General Dynamics Awarded $9 Million Contract for U.S. Army Medical Command Lean Six Sigma Support
- Lockheed Martin Delivers 1,000th Vertical Launch ASROC Missile
- Raytheon’s Excalibur Ib Demonstrates Accuracy During First Guided-Flight Tests
- James Webb Space Telescope Core Completes Thermal Testing
- Sniper ATP Demonstrates Enhanced ISR Capability at Empire Challenge
- CNO Announces Flag Officer Assignments
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 12, 2010
- DOD News Briefing with Ashton Carter from the Pentagon
- Northrop Grumman Holds 3rd Annual International CEESIM Users’ Conference in the United Kingdom
- Lockheed Martin Awarded $23 Million for Production of JASSM-Extended Range Test Missiles
- Northrop Grumman Delivers Upgraded U.S. Navy Targets
- U.S. Army Receives First Lockheed Martin EQ-36 Counterfire Target Acquisition Radar System
- Manufacturing of Northrop Grumman’s First Low-Rate Initial Production E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Begins
- Raytheon and National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency Improve Flow of Commercial Imagery to Analysts and Warfighters
- Lockheed Martin Receives $60 Million Worldwide LANTIRN Depot Award
- General Dynamics Awarded Department of Homeland Security National Communications System Contract
- Northrop Grumman Plays Major Role in NASA’s Development of Alternate Astronaut Escape System
- Government of Canada Names General Dynamics Land Systems-Canada as Prime Contractor for LAV III Upgrade Program
- Northrop Grumman’s Second E-2D Advanced Hawkeye Enters Next Phase of Flight Testing
- Optex Systems Receives $3.4 Million Purchase Order from General Dynamics Land Systems
- Raytheon Completes Critical Milestone for Mobile X-band Radar System
- General Dynamics Awarded $22 Million by U.S. Navy for Repair Work on USS Hartford
- Military Base Realignments and Closures: DOD Needs to Update Savings Estimates and Continue to Address Challenges in Consolidating Supply-Related Functions at Depot Maintenance Locations. GAO-09-703, July 9
- House Armed Services Committee: schedule for the week of July 13 –17, 2009
- GAO Report: Overseas Contingency Operations: Reported Obligations for the Department of Defense. GAO-09-791R
- Raytheon’s AESA Radar for Boeing F-15E Receives New Designation
- Northrop Grumman Successfully Demonstrates Capabilities of LITENING Targeting System on U.S. Navy F/A-18E/F
- Raytheon’s GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb II Completes Risk Reduction
- Hawker Beechcraft, Lockheed Martin Team to Compete for U.S. Air Force Light Attack and Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft
- Lockheed Martin C-5M Super Galaxy Sets World Aviation Records
- Northrop Grumman Advanced Composite Mate Joint Passes Stringent Tests for NASA’s Composite Crew Module Demonstration Program
- Lockheed Martin Team Passes Critical Design Review for Solar Ultraviolet Imager for GOES-R Satellite Series
- UK Awards Javelin Joint Venture $176 Million for Javelin Missile Rounds
- Contracts for March 12, 2010
- Lawsuit Successfully Defends Contract Against Inroads of In-Sourcing
- Two Helicopter Programs Start Over
- EADS-NA Says Not Comfortable Priming KC-X Contract
- Spirit AeroSystems Named to Boeing Tanker Supplier Team — Press Release
- Contracts for March 11, 2010
- Northrop Grumman Names Paul Russell to Lead Space Navigation Business Area
- Northrop Grumman Awarded U.S. Army Europe Linguist Contract
- Aegis Weapon System Tested During International Multiple Ship Demonstration
- Raytheon, Motion Reality Ink Agreement For Virtual Applications
- Lockheed Martin Awarded Arizona Support Center Contract for M-TADS/PNVS
- Lockheed Martin and Aegisound Honored With Defense Department’s Nunn-Perry Award
- GeoEye Selects Lockheed Martin to Build Next-Generation Commercial Remote Sensing Satellite System
- STOVL Jet Prepares for Vertical Landing
- DOD CONTRACTS for March 11, 2010
- US Navy: Flag Officer Announcement
More Defense News -->
-
Content from our trusted partner BNETGet your own CBS Interactive Widget.>GET IT NOW
get your job site
at simplyhired.com
