Had Protested The Award Of The LRS-B Contract To Northrop Grumman

Boeing has filed a 133-page brief in response to the Air Force’s filing in the company’s protest of the Air Force’s selection of the Nation's next-generation Long Range Strike Bomber.

The Boeing and Lockheed Martin team believe that the Air Force’s selection process was "irreparably flawed," and therefore have decided to continue with their protest before the GAO.

Northrop Grumman, the winner of the contract to build the new bomber, sees things differently, as you might imagine. In a statement, Randy Belote, vice president of strategic communications for Northrop Grumman Corporation, said that it had filed comments with the GAO in support of the Air Force's decision to award Northrop Grumman the LRS-B program.

"We are now even more confident that the Air Force followed an extraordinarily thorough and careful selection process and picked the right team in Northrop Grumman to serve our nation," Belote said. "We understand that Boeing has filed an additional brief in this matter. This is a routine step, particularly at this stage in a protest, and not in any way indicative of a meritorious protest.

"Northrop Grumman remains confident that we offered an inherently more affordable solution, reflecting our long and successful record of innovation, and that the GAO will affirm the Air Force's decision. The Air Force made the right choice in selecting Northrop Grumman to produce America's new bomber and we look forward to getting back to work to fulfill this vital mission."

(Source: Boeing, Northrop Grumman news releases)

FMI: www.northropgrumman.com, www.boeing.com, www.af.mil