Seattle Planemaker Selected For $35 Billion Contract
Boeing's reaction was predictably enthusiastic after being
awarded a $35 billion contract to build the KC-46A tanker for the
U.S. Air Force.
Artist's Conceptualization
"We're honored to be given the opportunity to build the Air
Force's next tanker and provide a vital capability to the men and
women of our armed forces," said Jim McNerney, Boeing chairman,
president and CEO. "Our team is ready now to apply our 60 years of
tanker experience to develop and build an airplane that will serve
the nation for decades to come."
Boeing says the KC-46A tankers will be built using a low-risk
approach to manufacturing by a trained and experienced U.S. work
force at existing Boeing facilities. The KC-46A tanker also will
fuel the economy as it supports approximately 50,000 total U.S.
jobs with Boeing and more than 800 suppliers in more than 40
states.
"This contract award would not have been possible without the
hundreds of Boeing employees across the entire company, and the
thousands of our industry teammates, who remained laser-focused on
our commitment to offer a solution that is first in capability and
best in value,” said Dennis Muilenburg, president and CEO of
Boeing Defense, Space & Security. "This award is also a tribute
to the Air Force and Defense Department officials who worked so
tirelessly to make this procurement process fair, ultimately
resulting in the selection of the right plane for the mission. We
look forward to working with our Air Force customer to deliver this
much needed capability to the servicemen and women we are honored
to serve."
"Boeing has always been committed to the integrity of the
competitive process, and the men and women across our Boeing
commercial and defense teams and our entire supplier network are
ready to extend that commitment to delivering these tankers on time
and on budget," said Jim Albaugh, president and CEO of Boeing
Commercial Airplanes.
Artist's Conceptualization
Based on the proven Boeing 767 commercial airplane, the KC-46A
Tanker is a widebody, multi-mission aircraft updated with the
latest and most advanced technology and capable of meeting or
exceeding the Air Force's needs for transport of fuel, cargo,
passengers and patients. It includes state-of-the-art systems to
meet the demanding mission requirements of the future, including a
digital flight deck featuring Boeing 787 Dreamliner electronic
displays and a flight control design philosophy that places
aircrews in command rather than allowing computer software to limit
combat maneuverability. The NewGen Tanker also features an advanced
KC-10 boom with an expanded refueling envelope, increased fuel
offload rate and fly-by-wire control system.
Alabama officials, however, expressed disappointment in the
decision by the Air Force. EADS/Airbus would have assembled its
version of the new tanker in Mobile. Joe Bonner, who represents the
city in Congress, said in a statement "After having already won the
competition three years ago and having brought to the table the
best refueling aircraft for our military, it’s deeply
disappointing that Mobile and the Gulf Coast were not chosen as the
home of the new Air Force tanker. Unfortunately, the best
tanker for our military was not selected. I intend to demand
a full accounting as to why. While there was great optimism that
our team would ultimately prevail, we’ve also been
conditioned to expect the unexpected. This competition has been
challenged before and it’s not unlikely it will be challenged
again. It will ultimately be up to EADS to determine whether they
will protest this decision and I will fully support whatever
decision they make.”
Congressman Bonner
Pentagon officials downplayed the possibility of a
challenge, insisting that the competition was "open and
transparent," and Deputy Defense Secretary William Lynn said the
process favored "no one but the taxpayer."
The Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce was similarly disappointed.
“The U.S. Department of Defense, in not awarding the aerial
refueling tanker contract to EADS North America today, has made a
egregious error and America’s military men and women are
ultimately the biggest losers,” the organization said in a
prepared statement.