Tue, Jun 16, 2009
Looking For A Rematch With Northrop Grumman On Refueling
Planes
After successfully protesting the
award of a contract for aerial refueling tankers based on an Airbus
platform to Northrop Grumman, Boeing is proposing a tanker design
using either its 767 or 777 airframes when bids are re-opened next
week.
Boeing defense chief Jim Albaugh made the announcement at the
Paris Air Show Monday.
Northrop Grumman won the contract in February of last year with
a tanker based on the Airbus A330. Boeing successfully challenged
the contract to the Government Accountability Office, and won the
right to have a new RFP. In setting aside the contract, GAO
said the Air Force “made a number of significant
errors” in its selection. It said The Air Force failed to
assess bids in accordance with evaluation criteria and improperly
credited Northrop for exceeding aerial-refueling parameters,
according to a report in Bloomberg News.
Richard Aboulafia, vice president of Teal Group in Fairfax,
Virginia, told Bloomberg "The 777 solves the technology and
additional cargo capability questions, but it increases cost and it
might be too much plane for the requirement. On the other hand, if
there is a split between Boeing and the Airbus A330 platform the
two planes complement each other nicely.”
In a news conference at the Paris Air Show, Northrop Grumman
spokesman Randy Belote said he couldn't comment on Boeing's design,
but feels confident his company will prevail. “KC-45, which
is ready now, has the right combination of fuel carry and offload,
range, multi-role capability and cost," he said.
Bloomberg reports that Boeing will re-designate it's design the
KC-7A7 for the time being. As to a possible split contract, A
Northrop Grumman spokesperson said the company would be willing to
consider that option as long as each supplier provides at least 12
aircraft a year. A split order is being considered in Congress
after being suggested by Secretary of Defense Robert Gates.
More News
With Testing Soon Complete, Launch Preparations Begin in Earnest Sierra Space's Dream Chaser has been put through the wringer at NASA's Glenn Armstrong Test Facility in Ohio, but w>[...]
Takeoff Roll The process whereby an aircraft is aligned with the runway centerline and the aircraft is moving with the intent to take off. For helicopters, this pertains to the act>[...]
“We’re proud of the hard work that went into receiving this validation, and it will be a welcome relief to our customers in the European Union. We couldn’t be mor>[...]
"Aircraft Spruce is pleased to announce the acquisition of the parts distribution operations of Wag-Aero. Wag-Aero was founded in the 1960’s by Dick and Bobbie Wagner in the >[...]
IDENT Feature The special feature in the Air Traffic Control Radar Beacon System (ATCRBS) equipment. It is used to immediately distinguish one displayed beacon target from other be>[...]