The French are coming!!!

[erj-145mech]

Can anyone tell me the last time a 330 actually gave an offload of fuel?

And until the KC-135 contract was let, a 707 hadn't either, so that argument goes out the window.

No USAF KC-767 has run a drop of JP down a boom either!

But for sure, Boeings past contract history, with the Government, had an impact on the decision. When senior management goes to jail over a business deal, thats not a good thing. A Government contract PCO is not going to hang his sierra over the fence over a multi billion dollar deal.

 

[mzaharis]

Here are some press conference comments from Air Force Secretary Michael Wynne, Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Duncan McNabb, Assistant Secretary of Defense Sue Payton, and Air Mobility Commander Gen. Arthur Lichte.

http://www.flightglobal.com/blogs/unusual-attitude/2008/03/pentagon-on-kcx-its-about-the.html

 

[SDF2BUF2MCO]

Who is running this country, a bunch of foreigners?

We let foreign investors take over our credit problems and then let them build our military jets for up to $100 billion. I'm I taking crazy pills or is this the end of the USA as we know it?

What is next???

Welcome to the "Global Economy". The next 20 years will be enlightening to say the least - may be a good thing for commerce and government but not the average Joe.

 

[AvroGuy]

Who is running this country, a bunch of foreigners?

We let foreign investors take over our credit problems and then let them build our military jets for up to $100 billion. I'm I taking crazy pills or is this the end of the USA as we know it?

What is next???

It is not the first time that the US has bought a foreign airplane.. BaE Hawk, aka T-45, and the English Electic Canbera Bomber, aka B-57. The B-57 was actually built under license though and both were British products if that makes you feel better. I can't think of anything else off of the top of my head.

 

[Caboclo]

Of course the 330 is a better platform than the 767; it's a generation newer. Likewise the 777 and 787 are both better than the 330. Here's another twist: as several have said, one size doesn't fit all. Why wasn't the contract for multiple aircraft of different sizes, say 30 767s and 100 737s?

 

[tankerswede]

Why wasn't the contract for multiple aircraft of different sizes, say 30 767s and 100 737s?

Flexibility is the key to airpower, not to contracting.

 

[flyguy75000]

What a great decision....makes me "Proud to be an American" uke:

 

[bagasticks]

It is not the first time that the US has bought a foreign airplane.. BaE Hawk, aka T-45, and the English Electic Canbera Bomber, aka B-57. The B-57 was actually built under license though and both were British products if that makes you feel better. I can't think of anything else off of the top of my head.

Let us not forget the HAWKER Harrier GR-1. . . the original lawn dart. . .

 

[tankerswede]

Let us not forget the HAWKER Harrier GR-1. . . the original lawn dart. . .

OK, but at least it's British. I can take a British airplane. They have always been one of our best allies and have proven very grateful for what the U.S. has done for them. The French, on the other hand...
uke:

 

[LearLove]

OK, but at least it's British. I can take a British airplane. They have always been one of our best allies and have proven very grateful for what the U.S. has done for them. The French, on the other hand...
uke:

I'm not fan of the french and would rather see the new tanker come from boeing (however I agree like some said that the french plane is better than boeing's 767 offering) but you guys seem to forget that without the help of the french we would have never won our independence in the first place.

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

 

[erj-145mech]

It is not the first time that the US has bought a foreign airplane.. BaE Hawk, aka T-45, and the English Electic Canbera Bomber, aka B-57. The B-57 was actually built under license though and both were British products if that makes you feel better. I can't think of anything else off of the top of my head.

The US has fought with French aircraft in the past, ie, Eddie Rickenbacker had some confirmed kills in a Nieuport in WW I. So this actually goes back to the beginning of US involvement in aerial warfare.

 

[mzaharis]

Actually, Airbus parent EADS is a Dutch company, although partly owned by the French. Here's a breakdown of ownership, admittedly from Wikipedia (although, AFAIK, it is accurate, and agrees with other sources I've seen).

As of 3 July 2007 41.63% of EADS stock is publicly traded on six European stock exchanges, while the remaining 58.37% is owned by a "Contractural Partnership".[19] The latter is owned by SOGEADE (27.38%), Daimler AG (22.41%), SEPI (5.46%) and Dubai Holding (3.12%).[20] SOGEADE is owned by the French State and Lagardère, while SEPI is a Spanish state holding company. France also owns 0.06% of publicly traded stock.[19]

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

 

[mzaharis]

I'll throw a bone out here for the French-bashers - One of Airbus' unions claims that the contract will REDUCE the number of French jobs at Airbus!

http://www.avweb.com/avwebflash/news/FrenchJobsLostByWinningTankerContract_197280-1.html

 

[bagasticks]

since the tanker doesnt brandish weapons, and primarily shows its backside in combat. . .The French airplane is perfect for the mission . .

 

[mzaharis]

Here's a breakdown of the decision by the (usually rather hawkish, pro-DOD procurement of any weapon system) Loren Thompson of the Lexington Institute.

http://lexingtoninstitute.org/printer_1234.shtml

 

[Hagar17]

In 2004, Congress, led by Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, banned the Air Force from working out a lease and purchase deal with Boeing after a federal investigation uncovered improprieties at the highest levels of the Air Force procurement process.


He just lost my vote....

So who gets your vote? Hillary? Barak?

Whatever.

 

[Caveman]

In 2004, Congress, led by Sen. John McCain, R-Arizona, banned the Air Force from working out a lease and purchase deal with Boeing after a federal investigation uncovered improprieties at the highest levels of the Air Force procurement process.


He just lost my vote....

I dislike McCain because of his Keating 5 involvement, McCain-Feingold and his stance on immigration. I respect him because of his willingness to swim upstream even against his own party when he thinks it's the right thing to do. That's a rare commodity these days. Case in point, he stood up and said "No" to an American icon business when the evidence suggested they weren't playing by the rules. Frankly, I like that and think we need more of it.

As far as this deal goes, it looks like the better product and the better deal won the contract. To complain that we awarded a contract to the French is incorrect and uninformed. The parts for this thing are from all over and it will be assembled mainly in the good ol' US of A.

Boeing ********************ed up. Plain and simple. If this were a deal with the Chinese I might feel differently, but everyone involved in this is an ally. Stop falling for the headlines and actually educate yourself about this deal.

 

[SIG600]

All those in favor of over paying for the less capable product, raise you hand.

Anyone?

Didn't think so. Congrats to EADS. About time we made some ground on this issue. The USAF needs this.

 

[414Flyer]

Let us not forget the HAWKER Harrier GR-1. . . the original lawn dart. . .

And we had operated the Spitfire before that.

 

[Oh-ryan]

I'm assuming that every single one of those that are anti EADS and pro Boeing drives a GM, Ford or Chrysler. No?

If it's the better plane, then America got it's money's worth. Stop worrying about some wrench turners in Seattle and think big picture. All you bus haters better be glad Airbus exists. If it weren't for them Boeing would probably still be cranking out 72s. Competition is good!