02-26-2011, 04:11 AM
Uncle Wig wrote:
Of course both planes meet all requirements - neither Boeing nor EADS/Northrop-Grumman would propose an airplane that didn't. The difference is in the extra capability offered by one plane or the other. It's not that Boeing's tanker is bad, it just arguably not the best.
The EADS airplane is larger, which explains the higher fuel costs. But being larger, it also carries more payload (fuel, cargo, passengers) than the Boeing, making it considerably more versatile. It has a slightly longer range as well. In 2008, when EADS/Northrop-Grumman had apparently won the contract, Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne said the EADS/Northrop-Grumman tanker was "was clearly a better performer."
This decision is even more based in politics than usual contract awards.
Glad to see that someone is more interested in the boys at the sharp end getting the best tool for the job rather than the parochial politics of job creation/retention.