The Issue: Air Force Airbus Deal
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THE ISSUE
In February, the U.S. Air Force awarded a lucrative 10 year $40 billion contract to European EADS and its Airbus division to build the Air Force’s new fleet of aerial refueling tankers. Boeing had supplied the Air Force with tankers for the past
five decades.
The deal will cost
14,000 American jobs.
Air Force-Airbus Deal:EIC POSITION“The GAO was correct when they ruled the Air Force's evaluation contained 'significant errors.' We hope that the new Air Force evaluation will fairly weigh America's security and economic concerns rather than pretend they do not exist. There is now no question that Boeing is the more qualified candidate for this sensitive military contract.” WHAT THEY ARE SAYING “We have just met with the Air Force and we remain unconvinced that the Airbus team will provide a better aircraft than the men and women of Boeing.” “If we’re going to create an enormous contract for the U.S. military, I would think we would want … U.S. companies that are employing U.S. workers.” "In the coming weeks, we want answers from the Air Force to our questions including: Why are we sending these jobs overseas when Boeing has a proven record of building Tankers? Why did the Air Force choose a less-efficient aircraft that is harder to maneuver? Why did the Air Force award this contract to a company that has never built a Tanker in its history? Why would the Air Force outsource a contract so critical to the security of our nation to a foreign company that is highly subsidized by European governments?” 7 WHAT YOU CAN DO RIGHT NOW
• Join a discussion group via Meetup.com to find people in your area to talk about this and other issues with. • Help us raise the funds necessary to disperse this information through mass media outlets across the country. REFERENCES
Northrop, EADS Beat Boeing for Pentagon Contract”
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LIST OF RELATED ARTICLES
Boeing, Airbus Battling Takes Bizarre TurnFriday, November 06, 2009
Awarding the contract to Airbus will kill thousands of American jobs and pave the way for the company to gain a foothold in America much the same way Toyota and other foreign automakers have.
Gates Restores Air Force's AuthorityThursday, September 17, 2009
Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced that the multi-billion dollar Air Force tanker contract is back on the table.
Boeing Plans Dreamliner FlightSaturday, August 29, 2009
Embattled American aircraft-manufacturer Boeing has finally set a target for the flight of its “Dreamliner” 787. The first test-flight will be before the end of 2009.
A Real StimulusFriday, August 07, 2009
American companies don’t need handouts, they need a hand up. Instituting policies across all industries that guarantee fair competition in trade would be a good way to start.
Airforce Contract May be SplitFriday, July 31, 2009
The long-running battle between Airbus and Boeing could soon come to an end with the contract ultimately split between the two companies.
Boeing-Airbus Battle Set to be Back onWednesday, June 17, 2009
“If the Air Force values more fuel, more cargo, and more passengers, the 777 offers superior capability,” he said, according to The Times. “We are ready to build America’s next tanker with whatever capability our customer requires.”
Air Force Airbus Deal May Hinge on ElectionThursday, September 11, 2008
The highly controversial Air Force refueling-tanker competition has been put on hold once again by the Defense Department. Now the next administration will be responsible for setting the new requirements in awarding the contract. The $35 billion bidding process between U.S. based Boeing and French company Northrop Grumman/Airbus has been going on for seven years and has become a politically sensitive issue plagued by scandals, investigations and trade disputes. The outcome of the presidential election could determine which aircraft maker is awarded the lucrative deal.
Boeing May Drop Tanker Proposal, Which Would Be A TravestyFriday, August 22, 2008
Earlier this year the United States Defense Department offered a lucrative multi-billion dollar contract to a foreign manufacture for the construction and delivery of its next generation of air-refueling platforms. Boeing justifiably protested the decision and on June 18, 2008 the Government Accountability Office ruled that the bidding process had been undermined by significant errors.
14,000 Jobs At Stake in Air Force-Airbus DealMonday, August 18, 2008
The bidding process for a $35 billion Air Force refueling tanker plane contract is causing a furor once again over its perceived unfairness. The original bidding process was deemed to have contained “significant errors“ by the Government Accountability Office after European-based Northrop Grumman/Airbus was awarded the contract instead of the Chicago-based Boeing Co.
Air Force To Favor Under-Qualified Airbus PlanesWednesday, July 23, 2008
The Air Force committed ‘significant errors’ when the bidding between Boeing and European Airbus, to build future mid-air refueling planes, began in February. These errors led the Air Force to unfairly award the $40 billion contract to the under-qualified Airbus. Under the pressure of lobbyists, the ‘significant errors’ made by the Air Force unjustly favored Airbus for its proposal to build a jet larger than needed. Findings discovered this bulky plane incapable of reaching speeds necessary to perform a maneuver required to refuel certain aircraft. After the Government Accountability Office reopened the bidding last month, analysts believe the Air Force will again commit a flagrant mistake by choosing Airbus and its sizable plane. Should the Air Force again side with Airbus, they are making a grave mistake. Airbus’ plane does not meet military specifications, places America’s servicemen/women in danger and compromises national security. Boeing has successfully produced the tanker for the past 50 years, demonstrating it deserves this future contract. America's role in producing planes for its own military may end if Boeing loses this contract.
Bush To Support Airbus As Economic Stimulus For Europe?Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Boeing continues to receive support from politicians and lawmakers in its battle with Airbus to produce the Air Force’s mid-air refueling tankers.
Stopping Airbus From Building U.S. PlanesSunday, July 13, 2008
The under-qualified Airbus believes it remains a valid competitor with Boeing to build the Air Force’s mid-air refueling tanker, and they plan to win a future bid to replace more than 450 transport planes, according to The Seattle Times.
Bidding Reopens Again For $40 Contract Between Boeing and AirbusThursday, July 10, 2008
Bidding will reopen between Boeing and Airbus for the $40 billion award to build the Air Force’s mid-air refueling tankers, according to Reuters.
Helping Boeing Get The Contract It DeservesMonday, July 07, 2008
Politicians and lawmakers are acting quickly to ensure Boeing will produce the Air Force’s in-air refueling planes, saying they may force the Air Force to rebid the contract if it does not enact a timely plan.
Air Force Knowingly Awarded Contract To A Less Qualified AirbusThursday, June 26, 2008
Last week, the Government Accountability Office sided with Boeing’s objection to reopen the case of the U.S. Air Force’s unfair deal to award Airbus with the contract to produce U.S. mid-air tankers.
Breaking News: Boeing Wins Tanker AppealTuesday, June 17, 2008
The Government Accountability Office, the watchdog of the U.S. Congress, has ruled that there were a number of 'significant errors' in the awarding of the $40 billion tanker contract to European Airbus over American Boeing. The ruling will likely start a new evaluation of the contracts.
Boeing And America Deserve BetterTuesday, June 17, 2008
This Thursday the Government Accountability Office will announce its decision after investigating the Air Force awarding a $40 billion tanker contract to French Airbus over American based Boeing.
Air Force Admits Error in Tanker StudyFriday, June 13, 2008
The Air Force has admitted it wrongly estimated the costs of Boeing's bid. The Air Force confirmed they had made a mistake and that Boeing's bid is actually cheaper than that proposed by Airbus. This error can be added to the growing list of information that without a doubt proves that American Based Boeing is more qualified to handle this sensitive military contract than French based Airbus.
Powerful Congressmen Eye Halt To Airbus Tanker InjusticeFriday, June 13, 2008
Congressmen Norm Dicks is working with John Murtha to take a stand against the blatant injustice of the $40 billion Air Force tanker contract awarded to French Airbus over the more qualified American based Boeing. These two should be lauded for their efforts to try and rightfully secure the best aircraft for our military and country.
Boeing Documents How Airbus Skewed RulesThursday, June 12, 2008
One week from today the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will rule on the legitimacy of the $40 billion Air Force-Airbus deal. European Airbus was awarded the contract over the more qualified American based Boeing. The Economic Policy Institute estimates 14,000 U.S. jobs will be lost because of this contract. |
