Could It Be A Win-Win?
They're bitter rivals when it comes to commercial aviation.
They're at philosophical odds about the future of passenger flight.
Their animosity towards one another has led them to the World Trade
Organization, bearing charges and counter charges of illegal
government subsidies.
But Airbus is now asking Boeing, in essence, "Want to partner up
on the KC-135 tanker replacement deal?"
"What we're saying is that we believe it could be split, and
that this is acceptable to us as well," said Diane Murphy, who
speaks for EADS's North American operations. She was quoted by the
Chicago Tribune, based in Boeing's adopted hometown.
Boeing blew the $23.5 billion contract when the Air Force
learned that one of its own, negotiator Darleen Druyun, had thrown
the contract to Boeing in exchange for a high level job at the
airplane maker. Druyun is serving time in a federal prison. The
scandal also claimed Boeing CFO Mike Sears, who might also face
criminal charges, and has been repeatedly cited as a reason Phil
Condit stepped down as CEO of the company and handed the reigns
over to Harry Stonecipher.
Last month, the Air Force said it will start over with the
process of awarding a contract to replace the aging fleet of
KC-135s.
The odd offer from EADS is also notable given that the company
has been looking for an American partner in the bidding war against
Boeing. But both Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have said "no
thanks."
As for Boeing, the US
aerospace giant seems rather cool to the idea of teaming up with
its arch rival.
"The Department of Defense and the Air Force are in the process
of reviewing their options," said Boeing spokesman Doug Kennett,
quoted in the Tribune. "It will be the government that will make
the decision on how to proceed on the tanker program."
What's the industry think of a tanker fleet made up of Boeing
767s and Airbus A330s? The reaction is mixed.
"It could conceivably be done, but it doesn't make a lot of
sense," Paul Nisbet, an aerospace analyst with JSA Research, told
the Chicago paper. Just think of the logistics. The USAF would have
to train mechanics to service both aircraft and would have to stock
parts for each. That, to many in aviation, is a nightmare in the
making.
But EADS's Murphy says that's not so. "If you have one supplier
and something goes wrong with the aircraft, then you have to ground
the entire fleet."