The $40 billion tanker contract awarded to Northrop/BAE/Airbus last year is up for ‘rebid’ after crazy political pressure from Boeing.
Northrop proposed turning the Airbus A330A into a military tanker. Boeing had proposed retrofitting its commercially designed 767 into a tanker.
Politically, this puts the issue back in play during the election year, and forces the final decision on the next administration. McCain has been a fierce critic of Boeing’s earlier dealings, and 1000s of Boeing workers in the state of Washington and Northrop workers in Georgia will be watching.
I imagine the lawsuits will be flying fast and furious no matter who wins.
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