Boeing loses tanker contract to Airbus

[jetset4me]

After 50 years of making tankers for the Air Force Boeing is being replaced by Northrop and Airbus. The only thing that we seem to be making here anymore is unemployment.

[DieselMDX]

wow that is big.....money talks thats for sure

[jswift2000]

A bunch of BS

[gmblack3a]

Originally Posted by jswift2000

A bunch of BS

Not sure what the price difference was, but how in the hell can it be worth it to give the job to scarebus?

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally Posted by gmblack3a

Not sure what the price difference was, but how in the hell can it be worth it to give the job to scarebus?

They didn't give it to Airbus, they gave it to Northrop Grumman...just like the President's new Italian helicopter is made by Lockheed Martin

[reeeko99]

Originally Posted by Setec Astronomy

They didn't give it to Airbus, they gave it to Northrop Grumman...just like the President's new Italian helicopter is made by Lockheed Martin

Exactly.... It will employ Americans.
The Air Force got a better more capable plane - think: Bang for the Buck.
Better performance, more capacity, off load of fuel, hauls more, longer range, shorter takeoff and landing.

It will be interesting how much they will cost and how many they order. The military is notorious for price creep by adding more bells and whistles...

I'm not a fan of the French, but if we can build most of it here and employ Americans, all the better.
Heck we get a lot of parts for the Boeing 777 and upcoming 787 from overseas suppliers.

[cajunfirehawk]

Originally Posted by reeeko99

Heck we get a lot of parts for the Boeing 777 and upcoming 787 from overseas suppliers.

Ah YES, the global outsourcing of America continues. Six Sigma methodology at its finest.

[Pennypacker]

Airbus' parent agreed to establish an assembly plant in Mobile, AL if it won the contract.

[Setec Astronomy]

Originally Posted by reeeko99

Exactly.... It will employ Americans.

But not nearly as many as if it was an American product.

Originally Posted by reeeko99

The Air Force got a better more capable plane - think: Bang for the Buck.
Better performance, more capacity, off load of fuel, hauls more, longer range, shorter takeoff and landing.

Yeah, and supposedly the President got the best helicopter in the world--the EH101. What does it say about us that we no longer make the best helicopters in the world? And worse, what does it say when our President flies in a foreign helicopter?

Originally Posted by reeeko99

Heck we get a lot of parts for the Boeing 777 and upcoming 787 from overseas suppliers.

And that should be seen as a problem, not as a rationale for buying a foreign aircraft.

You spoke of creep, what about the creeping feeling I'm getting that pretty soon we won't know how to build anything in this country? We already don't know how to build tv's or any other consumer electronics, we're working on cars and airplanes...we're on a road straight to oblivion. Northrop Grumman (well, Northrop and Grumman separately) actually used to build airplanes instead of badge-engineering them (and don't tell me how they make the Global Hawk--they bought that company).

[Slick61]

Originally Posted by cajunfirehawk

Ah YES, the global outsourcing of America continues. Six Sigma methodology at its finest.

what cracks me up is the "one-piece pull" demonstration of the Six Sigma Principles... when you outsource everything, all it takes is one little foible with a supplier, and your whole system comes crashing down.

[jetset4me]

This is why the new 787 Dreamliner is delayed? Too many parts outsourced to too many places overseas. We are becoming pathetic. If World War II was fought now we'd lose. Maybe the way Germany and Japan are now-maybe we did!

[Bunky]

Originally Posted by cajunfirehawk

Ah YES, the global outsourcing of America continues. Six Sigma methodology at its finest.

I know about Six Sigma so what is the connection to outsourcing unless you are just noting that it costs less. I think it is capitalism at its finest.