Boeing the Winner of Tanker Decision

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The Air Force announced on February 24^th  the award of a $3.5 billion engineering and manufacturing development contract  for the KC-46A aerial refueler to Boeing Co. of Seattle, Washington.  Much controversy has been surrounding this project after EADS was part of a Northrop Grumman Corp. led team that won a 2008 contest, before a Boeing protest forced new bidding.The Air Force-led selection effort included experts from the larger Department of Defense community, including the office of the Defense Secretary's staff and independent review teams during each step of the process.  

 "Many factors were evaluated during the tanker selection process,” said Secretary of the Air Force Michael Donley.   Selection "took into account mission effectiveness in wartime and life cycle costs as embodied in fuel efficiency and military construction costs," said Donley, emphasizing that both offerors met all the mandatory requirements.  

 “The thorough and transparent selection process was marked by continual dialogue with offerors to ensure the Air Force had a clear understanding of their proposals and the companies clearly understood the service's analysis of their offers,” said Donley.   "Gen. Schwartz and I are confident in the fact that when our young pilots, boom operators and maintainers receive this aircraft, they will have the tools they need to be successful at what we ask them to do," Donley said. 

 "To the men and women of our Air Force, today's announcement represents a long-overdue start to a much-needed program," Donley said.  "Your Air Force leadership, supported by others throughout the Department of Defense, is determined to see this through, and we will stand behind this work." 

 Now that the contract is awarded the program promises to deliver the first 18 aircraft by 2017.  Basing decisions for the aircraft are scheduled to take place over the next couple of years.  Questions remain as to whether Boeing can make money of the program because the pricing was so competitive.  According to Boeing the program will support 50,000 jobs at the company and it suppliers.

Contributor:   IDGA Editorial Staff