Airbus starts on Air Force’s almost-tankers

[unhappycamper]

In production
Second tanker rolls off assembly line


Airbus starts on Air Force’s almost-tankers
By Gayle Putrich - Staff writer
Posted : Saturday May 31, 2008 7:38:34 EDT

Most of Washington continues to wait for the Government Accountability Office findings on the Air Force’s $35 billion tanker deal, but Airbus employees in France aren’t waiting.

The second would-be tanker rolled off the assembly line in Toulouse and completed flight checks May 15, joining the aircraft designated SDD-1, which first flew in September, in line to receive in-flight refueling gear.

The Air Force chose the modified A330 by Northrop Grumman and EADS, Airbus’ European parent, over the 767 offered by Boeing for the 179-plane, $35 billion contract.

The Feb. 29 decision drew fire from American lawmakers, especially ones from Boeing strongholds in Washington state and Kansas.

A rare protest from Boeing has the deal frozen; the GAO has until June 19 to report with its recommendations. Airbus cannot begin tankerizing its aircraft because of the protest, but it has decided to begin production anyway.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/05/airforce_airbus_053108/