By
U.S. Rep. Jo Bonner
.
Published: Thu, June 26, 2008 - 3:30 pm
“Today, one of our colleagues introduced the KC-X Recompete Act, and its message is clear: if the warfighter wants a new tanker to replace its 50-year-old fleet anytime soon, it has one choice, Boeing’s KC-767. “That Act tells the warfighter—take the 767—take it or leave it—or face years of delay to conduct a new competition.
“Boeing’s 767 is a plane, mind you, the Air Force decided was second best to the more capable, more modern, more fuel efficient Northrop aircraft—an aircraft, I am proud to say, which will be built in Alabama.
“Yes, the GAO noted procedural errors in the source selection process but said its ruling did not reflect on the merits of the two aircraft.
“There is no equivocation about which plane the Air Force wants—and desperately needs—Northrop Grumman’s KC-45.
“Some in Congress have repeatedly tried to preempt regular order and take this decision away from the warfighter.
“The Pentagon is now on a 60-day clock to decide what to do about the GAO ruling—I urge my colleagues to let regular order prevail.
“Let’s not preempt the voice of our men and women who will take this plane into harm’s way. We owe them that much. Say no to the KC-X Recompete Act.”
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I’m from Kansas here on business and listening to your end of the deal on the tanker issue. Everyone seems to act as if Boeing is a bunch of cry babies because the contract wasn’t originally given to them. Don’t you think EADS would be doing the same thing if the rolls were reversed? The Alabama government officials keep bragging about how their airplane will be built in Mobile. Sorry, the stupid thing will be built in France and flown here and converted to a tanker. Folks around the country are upset that their hard earned tax dollars are being sent overseas to a foreign company to build an aircraft for our military forces. EADS can hide behind the name Northrop Grumman and say it’s their airplane when we all know it’s a freaking Airbus. The Air Force is still flying the Boeing KC135 which most them are over 40 years old. Can Air Bus build an air plane that will last that long? I don’t think so. Their commmerical planes life span is 10 years compared to Boeings 30 year life span.