PPRuNe Forums - View Single Post - Northrup Grumman/EADS win USAF tanker bid
Old 1st Mar 2008, 14:22
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Jig Peter
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Toulouse area, France
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Protests ?

I think there was a "no protest" clause in the original RFP, and if Boeing wants to scream, their lawyers will have to do some sophisticated scrabbling ... After all, the 767's not an "all-American" product either, with bits coming from both Japan & Italy (whence the 767 tankers they're saddled with)In the civil market, the A330 has firmly sat on the 767 anyway - leading Boeing to do the 777, which at least sat on the A340 when it got unlimited ETOPS certification.
In the meantime, Northrop Grumman will have to do some wuick work to get the buildings up & running ... Apparently the scheme is for the sections to be built in Europe as now, then ferried to Mobile for final assembly, Mobile thus replacing Toulouse. Also, all A330 (civil) Freighters will be assembled over there too, which must have been a nice incentive.
F-35 Will use the centre-line FBW "prodder", being to USAF specs...
737 replacement. Quite a few years down the line, as it (and an A320 replacement) will need a totally new power plant to get the reductions in fuel consumption potential customers are wanting. Engine-makers busy in their experimental shops with geard fans and things ...
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