EADS will bid as the prime contractor for the 35 billion-dollar U.S. Air Force aerial refueling tanker contract.
“The goal of building tankers and commercial aircraft in Mobile, and making the central Gulf Coast an aerospace center, remains attainable with today’s news,” said Mobile County Commission President Merceria Ludgood.
Last month, EADS’ previous partner Northrop Grumman Corp. withdrew from the competition claiming the Department of Defense had skewed the specification to favor competitor Boeing Co.’s plane.
“We’re thrilled that EADS is going to bid but we must reiterate our concern that this competition be fair and transparent,” said Mobile County Commissioner Mike Dean. “If EADS gets a fair shot, it will win.”
EADS must still find a U.S. based partner to supply classified military equipment on the tankers. House Defense Appropriations Committee Chairman Norm Dicks (D-Washington), a staunch Boeing supporter, recently said he would discourage companies from partnering with EADS.
“Chairman Dicks’ actions are deplorable,” said Mobile County Commissioner Stephen Nodine. “For him to use his position to intimidate potential partners is an abuse of power. For him to stymie competition is un-American.”
The Pentagon has been waiting for EADS’ decision. It had offered to extend the deadline for tanker bids by 60 days until July 9
Posted by Sean Sullivan on 04/20 at 02:42 PM
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