Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), in a letter to Deputy Defense Secretary Gordon England, has taken issue with Air Force insistence that the two qualified companies vying for the new aerial refueling aircraft contract should divulge the extent of their government subsidies, reports the Mobile Press-Register. The Northrop Grumman-EADS team requested a rule change shortly after USAF indicated it would exact subsidy information, since EADS, as maker of the commercial Airbus, receives large subsidies from European governments. Some lawmakers were pleased to see the provision, since they believe the EADS has an unfair advantage over Boeing in defense contracts. (The subsidy issue—with complaints from both sides—has been before the World Trade Organization since 2004 and officials say it will be sometime in 2007 before the WTO renders a verdict.) McCain says the issue is far too complex for the Air Force, saying its inclusion in the tanker award process “injects into what should be a full and open competition an element of arbitrariness and capriciousness.”
Skunk Works Uncrewed NGAS Concept Gets New Attention
Nov. 9, 2024
An artist’s rendering of a Lockheed Martin Skunk Works concept for a potential stealthy and autonomous Next-Generation Air-refueling System (NGAS) aircraft is getting new attention after a repeat display at the recent Airlift/Tanker Association meeting.