US tanker bid war heats up with Airbus, Russia in wings

[FarCenter]

The US Air Force tanker bidding contest against Boeing heated up, with Airbus parent EADS mulling a proposal and Russia's state firm UAC gearing up for one next week.

This Airbus handout picture shows the EADS aircraft A330 MRTT Multi Role Tanker Aircraft performing a series of refueling exercises with F16 and with F18 aircraft over Spain in 2009. The US Air Force tanker bidding contest against Boeing heated up, with Airbus parent EADS mulling a proposal and Russia's state firm UAC gearing up for one next week. AFP - The US Air Force tanker bidding contest against Boeing heated up, with Airbus parent EADS mulling a proposal and Russia's state firm UAC gearing up for one next week.

EADS opened the door to a bid against US arch-rival Boeing for the 35-billion-dollar aerial refueling tanker contract on signs of Pentagon willingness to extend the May deadline.

The European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company's expressed interest in the competition, and the surprise emergence of a Russian competitor late Friday, marked new twists in the long-running saga to replace the aging Boeing fleet.

<SNIP>http://www.france24.com/en/20100320-us-tanker-bid-war-heats-with-airbus-russia-wings

[Pharlo]

1. Personally, I don't give a damn which global corporation

gets the bid. What needs to be stipulated is that whoever wins the bid MUST acquire all raw materials (whenever possible), sub-assemblies/services, and final assembly inside the US by US citizens.

Yes, that may give Boeing an 'unfair' advantage, but too damn bad. If the US taxpayer is picking up the cost, they should be able to specify place and manner of manufacture.

[HopeHoops]

2. "Wings"?

:rofl: