KC-30 D-1 The Story

The story of the Northrop Grumman submittal for the next aerial refueling tanker for the USAF.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• KC-30
• U.S.
• Air
• Force
• aerial
• tanker
• norgrum

[smeary10]

@Smoznizjev - Australia

[pinoyaggie]

Why are you people keep comparing the 787 and KC30? If it is military programs, paid by American taxpayers, it should be majority DESIGNED and BUILT in the United States. Because no jobs mean no taxpayments and mean no defense budget, and not to mention national security implications of outsourcing this very important military asset.The 787 is a commercial airplane and majority of the customers are foreigners. So stop comparing those two. It's like comparing apples to oranges.

[mountainman1977]

Neither Lockheed-Martin nor Northrop-Grumman could win the competition when building up on a boeing airframe if boeing is also a competitor. Building a own airframe from scratch is not an option, because boeing could use it's existing airframes to reduce cost.

Who else other then boeing has a airframe suitable as a tanker aircraft in the world ? Airbus/EADS. Anybody else ? Nope.

Decission done. Compete with Boeing on a EADS airframe base or drop out off the competition that's it. - FACT -

[Avantime]

From a jobs standpoint, It will be great for the US because Airbus will also build the A330 Freighter there, and I expect that they will sell a couple hundred more airframes in the future. This will also be good for Airbus, as they will have less exchange rate risks because they sell their aircraft in US dollars.

This should be the end of the line for the 767, with Boeing more interested in pushing the 777F.

[Smoznizjev]

Oh, and on the allies: being an ally means supporting each other in times of need or when under attack. Like when we helped you (and are still helping you, with boots on the ground) in Afghanistan, the country where those who attacked you were trained and protected.

It does not mean helping you fight an illegal offensive unprovoked war like Iraq.

Ally = helping and supporting in time of need, NOT blindly supporting each other's every move, no matter how stupid. Many don't seem to get that.

[Smoznizjev]

Trust me, releasing the blueprints on the A330 will not even be asked for by the US. It's a completely crazy idea, koo-koo crazy even. Funny you picked Sweden, the one 'postage stamp' country that still actually builds its own fighters. As for you being 'dependant' on a foreign power? Give me a break! You guys have been using Harriers for decades, just who do you think invented those? And yes, your closest and most reliable allies. Can you name any that are closer and more reliable?

[Antiworld23]

If they don't I can promise Congress WILL axe this program. The US is not a postage stamp country like Sweden, we cannot be dependant on a foreign power for military hardware.

Cloest and more reliable allies? More like occasional allies, but don't get me started on that.

[Smoznizjev]

Yeah, I'm sure that'll happen.

The second Lockheed Martin releases all blueprints and cad drawings of the F-16 and the C-130 to all the countries who bought those, and Boeing does the same with the F-15, F/A-18, Apache, C-17, Chinook, etc, all of which have been sold to other countries.

Seriously, why would they do that? Airbus is situated in Western European countries, you know, your closest and most reliable allies?

[Antiworld23]

You do have a valid point. Boeing was idiotic at the start of the deal when they tried to bribe their way to get this contract back in 2002 I believe. Competition is important.

I would feel better about the deal if Airbus released all cad drawings and computer models of every part of the A330 giving the US the ability to independently produce the entire aircraft and spares if nessisary.

[Smoznizjev]

Boeing will from that point on have no incentive to offer the best possible product, at the best possible price: they'll get the contract anyway.

With this deal, you'll get a brand new widebody assembly line in your country, and a foreign aerospace company creating jobs, while your own Boeing moves jobs AWAY from the US. Did you know the NG / EADS tanker will have MORE US content than the new Boeing 787? Makes you wonder, doesn't it?