An Airbus Tanker?

What nonsense! The "Europeans" did not submit the bid. The prime
contractor was Northrop Grumman -- an American company. EADS is merely
a subcontractor (aka teaming partner).

On Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:38:20 -0800, Airbus wrote:

Completely agree!
The Europeans showed fantastic bargaining prowess, when the dollar/euro
conjecture should have made their bid nearly untenable. By offering production
jobs in the US they sweetened their offer, while making good on their offer to
their own shareholders of increasing production activity in the dollar zone.
Good show - and a considerable move forward for all.





In article ,
says...

You can bet that the procurement was squeaky clean, with the previous
scandals during the tanker lease fiasco. Reports are that the
Northrup/EADS bid scored first in every major category: Can carry more
payload, more passengers, uses less fuel, higher availability, lower
maintenance cost, etc. etc. In short, it's a better airplane.

As far as outsourcing, consider that at one time EADS claimed to have
more US content in their proposal than Boeing. Whether you believe that
claim or not, it's clear that Boeing had a substantial international
content in their proposal, and that it wasn't a pure US deal.

Remember that the 767 was originally developed as a partnership between
Boeing, Japan, and Italy. Many of the parts are made in those
countries. Who do you think has already bought some of the 767 tankers,
and why?

Finally, if you expect the Europeans to continue to purchase US arms,
rather than develop their own, then you had better accept the fact that
we need to buy some of their products to keep everyone happy. If they
can compete on capability and price, then it's a good deal. Especially
since they will be setting up passenger aircraft manufacturing in the
US. With the low US dollar, that puts people to work in relatively
high-tech jobs.
--
Jay (remove dashes for legal email address)

Jay Somerset wrote:
What nonsense! The "Europeans" did not submit the bid. The prime
contractor was Northrop Grumman -- an American company. EADS is merely
a subcontractor (aka teaming partner).

Technically, yes, but from what I've read they are basically building
the entire airframe. It isn't clear what Northrop Grumman's role is
other than final fitment for delivery and probably they will provide the
service and support. Anyone find anything detailed as to what they are
doing vs. EADS?

I'm not sure it matters as I don't think this award will stick,
especially not during an election year and one in which the economy is
struggling.

Matt

Recently, Matt Whiting posted:

Jay Somerset wrote:
What nonsense! The "Europeans" did not submit the bid. The prime
contractor was Northrop Grumman -- an American company. EADS is
merely a subcontractor (aka teaming partner).

Technically, yes, but from what I've read they are basically building
the entire airframe. It isn't clear what Northrop Grumman's role is
other than final fitment for delivery and probably they will provide
the service and support. Anyone find anything detailed as to what
they are doing vs. EADS?

I'm not sure it matters as I don't think this award will stick,
especially not during an election year and one in which the economy is
struggling.

I wouldn't bet on that. The reality is that there are no purely "American"
products of the complexity of an automobile. Boeing has outsourced the
manufacturing of most of its airframes as well, and only does some final
assembly and fitting out here. So, in the eyes of the purchaser (e.g. U.S.
Government) there is no significant distinction between these two bids.

Neil

Neil Gould wrote:
Recently, Matt Whiting posted:

Jay Somerset wrote:
What nonsense! The "Europeans" did not submit the bid. The prime
contractor was Northrop Grumman -- an American company. EADS is
merely a subcontractor (aka teaming partner).
Technically, yes, but from what I've read they are basically building
the entire airframe. It isn't clear what Northrop Grumman's role is
other than final fitment for delivery and probably they will provide
the service and support. Anyone find anything detailed as to what
they are doing vs. EADS?

I'm not sure it matters as I don't think this award will stick,
especially not during an election year and one in which the economy is
struggling.

I wouldn't bet on that. The reality is that there are no purely "American"
products of the complexity of an automobile. Boeing has outsourced the
manufacturing of most of its airframes as well, and only does some final
assembly and fitting out here. So, in the eyes of the purchaser (e.g. U.S.
Government) there is no significant distinction between these two bids.

Maybe, maybe not. If Boeing commits to providing 3X the domestic jobs
as does Northrop Grumman/EADS, then once the constituents start calling
their congress critter you never know what will happen.

Kind of like Florida and Michigan talking about a "do over" to help
elect Billary. It isn't over until it's over as a famous philosopher
once said. :-)

Matt

On Thu, 06 Mar 2008 17:34:34 GMT, Matt Whiting
wrote in :

once the constituents start calling their congress critter you
never know what will happen.

Right. Congress could pass another Terri Schivo bill. :-(