02 December 2009, 7:07 am
Northrop Grumman has threatened to pullout of the competition to build the A330 refueling tanker for the U.S military. On Dec 1 2009 Wes Bush (Northrop Grumman President) informed the Defense Secretary that they may stop all efforts to win the contract. The concern is that the Pentagon specifications for the new tanker favor the 767 offered by Boeing.
North Grumman was awarded the contract a year ago. The tanker was to be assembled in Mobile, Alabama. It was a joint mission with EDS of Europe. The A330 Tanker was considered the best by the Lexington Institute a military analyst group out of Virgina and a military review panel. Thus Mobile was awarded the contract but in the Presidential election the tanker contract became an issue. So the contract was reopened for bidding.
Senator John McCain who at the time was running for President decided to make it a political issue. McCain claimed that the contract would be sending government money overseas to a European company EDS. McCain favored Boeing which is no surprise being that Boeing is a large contributor to him. He even has been investigated by the Ethics Bureau for his dealings with Boeing in the past.
The tanker would be assembled in Mobile, Alabama by North Grumman bringing many jobs and money to Alabama. Alabama is located in America. Mobile, Alabama would be able to handle the needs of the military in the production of the tanker very well. In the end money and politics played a role in the Pentagon's decision. The Pentagon has change the requirements 10 times over the past year. Hurting the chances of the 330 Tanker.
Unfortunately for Americans politics has taken precedent over the need for the best tanker. In a time of war America needs the means to refuel it's aircraft and the longer politics are involved the real losers are the American citizens. In this case America has more at stake the existence as a super power in the world. But most of all it's freedom.
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