USAF Tanker Deal "To be reviewed"

PeriscopeDepth · 06-19-08, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUBMAN1

Quote:

Originally Posted by PeriscopeDepth

You are naieve thinking this is about getting our troops the best gear. This is about Boeing owning more of Congress than Northrop Grumman. The decision to reverse came through Congress's research office, not the USAF. Even if the Boeing plane was clearly less capable this would be happening. As has already been said, politics.

The USAF is, unfortunately, a service with no future vision other than snagging funding and keeping things as status quo as possible. And they have shown they are completely incapable of managing a large program too many times lately.

A blog I frequently read had a picture to describe Congress killing the F-22 in favor of funding F-35 and Congress reversing the tanker decision. It was a still from the tape of Rodney King getting beat by the LAPD, Rodney being the USAF here.

PD

I don't agree, but I'll leave it at that.

-S

Deal.

PD

MothBalls · 06-19-08, 03:52 PM

So much for the Buy American Act. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buy_American_Act

I saw a bumper sticker once that summed up America's problems in 10 words.

"Buy American. The job you save may be your own"

bookworm_020 · 06-19-08, 06:37 PM

Airbus has had experience in building tanker aircraft.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A310_MRTT

Australia had similar demands to the USAF in seeking a tanker replacement. It selected the A330 MRTT.

It can carry more fuel further, with a larger cargo space as well. Yes it is more expensive but it suits Australia's needs better as there are less airports to land at in Australia (have a look on a map and you will see a lot of nothing!) and a long distance to anywhere outside Australia

Platapus · 06-19-08, 06:49 PM

The nice thing about the Northrop Grumman bid is that is was not Boeing. Boeing does not exactly have a stellar reputation with the government these days. They have been prime on some ISR projects that ended up costing the taxpayers bunches of cashola and ended up not working.

Boeing used to be a pretty reliable company and I hope they can re-earn their reputation. I know this tanker deal was very important to them.

These days it is almost impossible to "buy American" as components of practically everything is made overseas.

SUBMAN1 · 06-19-08, 07:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Platapus

The nice thing about the Northrop Grumman bid is that is was not Boeing. Boeing does not exactly have a stellar reputation with the government these days. They have been prime on some ISR projects that ended up costing the taxpayers bunches of cashola and ended up not working.

Boeing used to be a pretty reliable company and I hope they can re-earn their reputation. I know this tanker deal was very important to them.

These days it is almost impossible to "buy American" as components of practically everything is made overseas.

KC-767 is already flying. No real need for the development time. Its already been done.

-S

06-19-08, 06:37 PM	#3
bookworm_020 Navy Seal Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Sinking ships off the Australian coast Posts: 5,966 Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	Airbus has had experience in building tanker aircraft. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airbus_A310_MRTT Australia had similar demands to the USAF in seeking a tanker replacement. It selected the A330 MRTT. It can carry more fuel further, with a larger cargo space as well. Yes it is more expensive but it suits Australia's needs better as there are less airports to land at in Australia (have a look on a map and you will see a lot of nothing!) and a long distance to anywhere outside Australia __________________ "There is always one person in any organization who knows whats going on, That person must be fired"

06-19-08, 06:49 PM	#4
Platapus Fleet Admiral Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 19,437 Downloads: 63 Uploads: 0	The nice thing about the Northrop Grumman bid is that is was not Boeing. Boeing does not exactly have a stellar reputation with the government these days. They have been prime on some ISR projects that ended up costing the taxpayers bunches of cashola and ended up not working. Boeing used to be a pretty reliable company and I hope they can re-earn their reputation. I know this tanker deal was very important to them. These days it is almost impossible to "buy American" as components of practically everything is made overseas. __________________ abusus non tollit usum - A right should NOT be withheld from people on the basis that some tend to abuse that right.

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06-19-08, 03:52 PM	#2
MothBalls Ace of the Deep Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 1,012 Downloads: 20 Uploads: 0	So much for the Buy American Act. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buy_American_Act I saw a bumper sticker once that summed up America's problems in 10 words. "Buy American. The job you save may be your own"