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Air Refueling Contract
According to the Financial Times, the UK MOD is set to announce that they will give the new tanker contract to a consortium led by EADS/Airbus, with their new A330 tanker. This is compared to the Boeing BAE consortium with the 767 (the same as the USAF). The award of this contract is beleived to have been for a number of reason (other than operational) such as the severe delay on many other BAE projects (Astute SSN, Eurofighter, Nimrod (maritime patrol), and Brimstone ( battlefield attack weapon). ALso of concern is the controversy with the USAF order of the 767 tanker, which led to the redignation of the Boeing CEO Phil Condit. And no doubt, the Airbus consortia giving excellent rates in order to come into the market (similar to the low rates Lockheed gave to the RAF as C-130j launch customer). BAE will not be too upset, as they produce 20% of the A330, and Rolls-Royce prouce the engines (as they do for the 767). The A330 will be up to 16 new build airframes, and 4-5 used airframes, compared to the all used (Ex British Airways) 767 offer. Interestingly the RAF has a history of using tankers no other nation uses (Victor, Tristar, VC-10), and using ex Briish Airways Aircraft (Tristar and VC-10). May have been missed during the weekend screwballapalooza, but is continuing to make our local/state news. Personally after eurocopter and a380 I wonder about this as anything other than a deal to make a deal but since Britain is voting (?) as to whether to be themselves or a pininsula of a pininsula I leave that open. Also, Airbus has been in Wichita for a number of years manufacturing. -first post so mods, suggestions if any please-
Posted by: swksvolFF 2008-03-07 |
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| http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=232291 |