Boeing fails to get KC-767 contract

[Garry Russell]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/7272129.stm

Garry

[Trev Clark]

Well that was a suprise, I wonder what Boeing has done (or failed to do ;-) ) to muck that one up! Odd that the bidding scheme is open to appeal, perhaps we have not heard the end of this, with an administration change within 12 months :roll:

[Garry Russell]

TBH I thought Boeing had pretty well got this one.

My life's full of surproses.......sometimes

Garry

[Hot_Charlie]

TBH I thought Boeing had pretty well got this one.

Mmm, I think most people would tend to differ. A lot of people were maybe expecting a split deal (around60/40), with the majority going to the KC-30 (the newer, better airframe, probably more capable too), and a token purchase of the KC-767. I don't think Boeing has been making many friends in the last couple of years, and they seem to have been employing some fairly dodgy politics.

A quick look at the KC-767s order book tells a story too. Italy, and Japan (and Japan operate the 767 based AWACS anyway).

[Trev Clark]

In a big article about US Republican senators vowing to 'fight this terrible descision', I saw this at the bottom of the page.....

In May 2003, a similar tanker contract was awarded to Boeing, but it was annulled under allegations of procurement fraud, for which Boeing paid a record 615-million-dollar settlement to the government.

[mgchristy]

If Airbus offers a better product for the USAF's needs, then more power to them. Competition should only improve the breed.

That being said, I agree with Trev. I'd be surprised if this is the last we've heard of the Boeing/Airbii refueler bid. Both manufacturers are not unfamiliar with occasionally shady business practices. Mix this with national pride and politicians playing the patriotism angle...you get the picture (don't get me wrong...I'm not defending this angle...just stating my opinion).

In today's global economy, I can buy a Honda made in Ohio, a Chevrolet made in Canada, and a Boeing made with over 75% foreign parts content (as I understand is the case with the upcoming 787). Particularly seeing as how much of the KC-30 assembly work is going to be carried out in the US, I simply can't see how anyone could get up in arms over this deal.

Regardless of what happens, it'll be a sad day when the last KC-135 flies off to the boneyard.

[airboatr]

shoot don;t worry guys the good ol boys in washington will find something for them to do .....
out on some golfcourse .......over drinks .. you know...... :roll:

[DispatchDragon]

Mark

I think that you hit the nail on the head - with 75% of Boeings parts "outsourced" ( lord I do hate that word) overseas anything they brought to the table would have been built by "foreign" read offshore companies whilst Boeing crow about being a wholly "American" corporation- AT least EADS and Airbus have the decency to allow major parts built in the US AND in a state where
the governor is a Republican and unemployement is widespread.........Kansas and Washington (the two states that would benefit greatly by Boeing winning the contract are BOTH democratic states - so comments refering to the Republicans being against the EADS/Airbus contract is a misrepresentation by the media - (Sorry Im tired of that BS as well) Frankly Boeing have had this coming for a long time - Good Luck to Airbus and I hope the USAF enjoy their new tankers as much as the European Air Forces will

I'll get my coat

Leif

[Garry Russell]

It will be good news from now on for this Airbus project

The adoption of the USAF in large numbers will help to make it almost the standard tanker aircraft for large parts of the world


Garry

[jonesey2k]

Just a shame that they are not to be RR powered. Actually, if this actually goes through the worst selling engine on the airframe will become the best lol.