Questions About Tanker Contract?

By Tiffany Craig Special Assignment Reporter

Published: Wed, March 05, 2008 - 4:57 pm

Tiffany Craig

The battle over Air Force Tankers is raging in Congress and Mobile is trying to hold on to their $40 billion dollar prize. Northrop Grumman and EADS won the contract to build the tankers Friday afternoon. The planes will be built at Brookley Field creating 1,500 jobs. This Friday, top officials from both companies will be in Mobile. What would you ask the heads of Northrop Grumman and EADS? News 5 will ask your questions for you! Email them to , or just leave a comment at the bottom of this story. We will deliver your answers Friday night.

News Map

Email to a Friend

Printer Friendly

I my self am a Marine and I was only an E-5 when I got out. It’s a pity when I believe I can out debate a Lieutenant General and a General about their careless decision on this contract. I say poll the people who matter, poll the Pilots and aircrew, and the service members who are going to engage in combat with this aircraft I am curious to what they think. It might surprise the EADS and Airbus fans.

God Bless our Troops.

Posted by ulriche on 03/07/08 - 1:15 pm • Report Abuse

ulriche, did you even ask a question in all that crap you just spit out?

Posted by atbman on 03/07/08 - 1:10 pm • Report Abuse

Please remember, The Boeing Company and The Lockheed Martin Company have produce the most advanced and technological aircraft and ordnance know to man. This is what keeps out enemies at bay and gives us a long range spear. With out supporting these Companies we are giving away our right to defend ourselves in the long run. What happens if a conflict erupts in 5 yrs and the tankers are held up because these countries do not believe in our political goals, which they have already shown this? What’s to stop them from not delivering on such a critical war fighter such as this new tanker, and yes a war fighter? This is what enables a B-2 Bomber to take of from St. Louis, MO and strike any target on the globe.

Posted by ulriche on 03/07/08 - 1:06 pm • Report Abuse

I have some questions. Those of you who believe that EADS should build the tanker have you been in the military. What if you are or were because I do not believe you are or ever were because I don’t think you would want to fly on an aircraft, nothing less a war fighter that was built by countries, that’s’ right countries who do not believe in the political goals and current military campaigns that the United States is currently active in. If these countries did more than 10000 of our US troops would have spent Christmas with their love ones. More than 10000 US troops would not have miss their children’s last 15 months of their life. So what is the real question? Yes Mobile, Alabama will get jobs, but if Boeing would of won the contract the United States in a whole would of received 40,000 jobs. The A330 is being build overseas, the refueling boom is being put on and some avionics in Mobile, Alabama.

Posted by ulriche on 03/07/08 - 12:53 pm • Report Abuse

I think it great that mobile got this contract. I think it is stupid for boeing to get mad over this it was a bidding war and we won. They are saying it will put people out of work because It will bring many jobs to mobile and we need the jobs. I just have one question. Are you going to need a degree to get any job there? When can we start applying for them?

Posted by kjjmbf on 03/07/08 - 11:34 am • Report Abuse

Boeing lost the $35 billion Ari Force contract because : from Washington they heard ...Three of the military contracts they had cost ran over $3 Billion dollars more than originally projected and its work on a virtual fence along the U.S.-Mexico
border had failed to meet expectations.
And they really think they should have been awarded another contract?
THE RIGHT COMPANY WAS CHOSEN, THEY ARE NOT COMFORTABLE WIT REAL COMPETITION.
* info from AP Business Writers

Posted by mizflyy on 03/05/08 - 9:32 pm • Report Abuse

My understnding is the contract was first let for bid in 2001. At that time Boeing had a problem with a person in the procurment office. Why was Boeing not disqualified?

Posted by mburgha256 on 03/05/08 - 7:45 pm • Report Abuse

What role, if any, will Northrop Grumman Ship Systems play in this contract?

Posted by BamaBob on 03/05/08 - 5:12 pm • Report Abuse

Opinionwriter posted this on another story about the tanker deal and I think it is the best question I have heard so far and would like for you to ask it.

If there was a problem with EADS winning why did they not speak up when they were invited to bid? They behave as if it was a forgone conclusion that Boeing was going to win. If that were the case why waste time bidding?

Posted by asda on 03/05/08 - 1:32 pm • Report Abuse

How and when can MCPSS expect to see some of the benefits on this wonderful contract?

Posted by HS Teacher on 03/05/08 - 11:45 am • Report Abuse