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October 10, 2008 4:16:04 PM CDT

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Stunned Boeing Presses USAF to Explain Choice

Posted Mar 4, 08 2:20 PM CST in Technology,  Business 

(Newser) – Boeing is calling for an “immediate debriefing” on the Air Force's choice of a foreign company to build its fuel tankers, Bloomberg reports. The selection of Airbus and Northrop Grumman is to be the subject of a scheduled March 12 meeting, but Boeing says that isn’t protocol. “We would expect this briefing to occur within days, not weeks, of the announcement,” said a company rep.

Congress will hold a hearing on the shake-up tomorrow, but debate is already raging in Washington over the $35 billion decision that some say would send manufacturing overseas, reports the Seattle Post-Intelligencer. “The Airbus contract is a European stimulus plan subsidized by the American taxpayer,” said Sen. Patty Murray. But the Defense Department called the decision process “open, fair and detailed.”

Sources Bloomberg, Seattle Post-Intelligencer

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In this artist's depiction provided by Northrop Grumman Corp., a KC-45A refuels a F-22 Raptor. The Air Force on Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. and a European partner a $35 billion...   (Associated Press)
In this artist's depiction provided by Northrop Grumman Corp., a KC-45A refuels a B-2 stealth bomber. The Air Force on Friday, Feb. 29, 2008, awarded Northrop Grumman Corp. and a European partner a $35...   (Associated Press)
This image provided by Northrop Grumman shows the first KC-45A aerial refueling tanker taking off on its maiden flight on Sept. 25, 2007. The Air Force on Friday Feb. 29, 2008 awarded Northrop Grumman...   (Associated Press)
From left, Boeing union workers David Henry of Puyallup, Wash., Sandy Hastings of Everett, Wash., James William and Charlie Grieser of Mukilteo, Wash., protest the U.S. Air Force's decision to award a...   (Associated Press)
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Congress  • Boeing  • Defense Department  • Airbus  • Air Force  • manufacturing  • Northrop Grumman  • fuel tankers  • Patty Murray


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