zedextreme8177 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Why do the Americans immediately start complaining about such a small matter? Germans don't mind having American-built C-5s in their fleet and even Air France has 60 Boeing 777s, but I haven't seen a single French person complain about this. It's just an order for an aircraft you know.

KKM57P (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

2003, the Pentagon announced the project was to be frozen while an investigation of allegations of corruption by one if its former procurement staffers, Darleen Druyun (who had moved to Boeing in January) was begun. Druyun pleaded guilty and was sentenced to nine months in jail for "negotiating a job with Boeing at the same time she was involved in contracts with the company". Additional fallout included the resignation of Boeing CEO Philip M. Condit and the termination of CFO M. M. Sears.

pinoyaggie (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I guess your fair and open competition was proven wrong by the GAO and SecDef.

spunkytoast (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

It was a fair and open competition to win the bid, and Northrop-Grumman won. They are the prime contractor for this, and it will give jobs to many, many Americans.

tinian33 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

I agree, because if you award projects based on diplomatic status, and possibly foregoing quality and value, your country will end up looking like the former Soviet Union. I am a proud American who is well aware that sharing ideas, competition, and having an open mind is good for America, and the world, right? To all you Airbus detractors, read the hard facts about the bid process in the case--Boeing f****d up...big time!!!!

EDS01475634763 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Dreamlover55 how do u work that out then?

Donz5885 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

Not just 179 Airbus MRTT will be built, but 700 of Airbus MRTT will be assemble at Alabama.

dreamlover55 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

the U.S. Air Force likely would pay up to $30 billion more in fuel bills over 40 years to operate a fleet of 179 Airbus A330-200 aerial refueling tankers, compared to a similar number of tankers based on the Boeing 767-200ER.

Permafrost38 (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

and consider that -if you are disappointed with the decision- neither in France nor in Germany will be additional employments because of the tanker. Employments will increase at Grumman. contrary: EADS intends to decrease 10.000 employments within the next 2 years.I'm glad some of you are aware of, that technology and reliability is decisive to such issues - NOT patriotism or lobby.

michaelballack (December 31, 1969 at 6:59 pm)

hahah he does not know airbus bag the deal!! haha lol