So at the moment all of the Beltway bandits are probably engaged in the biggest political battle of the season. Who is going to win the USAF's Air Refueling contract. it could be worth $100 Bn when all is said and done.
In the red corner is Reigning Champ and long favoured bidder Boeing with its decidedly ancient Boeing 767 design. In the Blue corner is the Northrup Grumman and EADS-Airbus Industrie the nasty Franco-German smelling foreigners, with their bigger A330 based design. OK so on patriotic grounds Boeing should win. But not so fast. NG/EADS-Airbus (what a mouthful) is proposing a production line in Alabama Only 400 Miles from where Mercedes (And EADS Shareholder, builds its M and R series).
At the moment the battle is squarely around an old US based design smaller and the bigger newer European design.
But i would like to post a contra view. Because over to the side is Lockheed-Martin (US's Largest Defense Contractor) advocating an update to the very decrepit C5 with the C5M re-engined, updated avionics. Boeing is also advocating more purchases of the C-17.
Lets start with the C5M. BAD IDEA. The plain is clapped out and the wings leak like crazy. It is in such poor shape that half the fleet (the ones that can fly not the ones on the books) are now used as cannibalization for parts. It has lost most of the crews (After being forced to do back to back tours the Reservists who fly this old clunker bailed en masse).
So how about this. Re-think it. Although I am sure that the Lobbyists would welcome this and Congress and the others will moan - but even though this contract has been scandal plagued and delayed for nearly 10 years, they time has come to rethink the whole idea of Military airlift in the USA Arsenal.
I propose that the US uses the A330M as a COTS based aircraft. I further propose that all the money that was to be used for C5M be used to purchase many more additional C-17s.
Who wins?
Boeing ends up with a good contract extension on the C-17 and we can reduce the price do the very stupid US procurement practices. Further they can stop wasting time on the 767. Time to put the old girl out to pasture which in turn will free resources for the now troubled 787 program.
Lockheed gets a smack in the eye - they need it.
NorthrupGrumman/EADS-Airbus (whew!) get a US production line and possibly a shot at the Hercules replacement market with the A400M.
The US Air Force (remember them) get much greater airlift capacity and better tanking with multiple convertible aircraft better suited to today's needs.
The US public gets a better deal for its money
Will they do it?
Naw not a hope in hell. Still nice idea.
Cheers
Timothy
Timothy J O'Neil-DunneManaging Partner - T2Impact LtdGlobal Travel eBusiness Tel (US) +1 425 836 4770Mobile (US) +1 425 785 4457
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