So.. after months of praising the US DoD for their vision in making the KC-X procurment strategy a "Low price wins" scenario, Boeing are now spitting the dummy because they don't think they can compete on cost now?
Lets re-cap the whole KC-X thing..
Round 1 - Alleged shenanigans from Boeing senior execs and the Air Force to lease aircraft see's the contract cancelled and Boeing Senior staff in Jail.
Round 2 - The RFP for the most capable aircraft, giving all round cost effectiveness, Airbus.. sorry EADS / NGC wins.. Boeing whine, 7 of the 300 and odd protests are up held (Conveniently) and the contract is cancelled, but not before Boeing are handed a copy of the winning bidder's pricing breakdown..
Round 3 - This time the USDOD will get it right, Boeing know the Airbus pricing last time, the 767 is smaller so must be cheaper, lets forget capability and just buy the cheap option, Boeing will win, happy voters... Only thing is... every man and his auntie knows that AiBM are fully aware of the strategic importance of a KC-X win, and suddenly Bubba Boeing isn't sleeping so good because his numbers don't work.. net result.. lets whine and protest again..
So the 767 NG is non-existant, more expensive and even if it does exist eventually, it will be less capable than the A330 anyway.
From a Boeing perspective, win KC-X and it will cost you the shirt off your back to deliver it. Lose KC-X and Airbus will have your shirt anyway..
Ain't life just a bitch sometimes?
