(WASHINGTON, D.C.) -- U.S. Sen. Patty Murray Friday issued some harsh criticism over the another round in the drawn-out battle over who gets a $35 billion contract to make new refueling tankers for the Air Force.
The brief history includes:
- the contract initially awarded to Boeing's foreign competitor, Airbus
- a vehement challenge from lawmakers in Washington state
- the Department of Defense opening up the contract for a re-bid.
Last week it appeared Airbus would not submit a new proposal, clearing the way for Boeing to get the prized-project. But not so fast?
"I am very disappointed that the Department of Defense is even considering giving in to Airbus and extending the hard deadline for tanker bids. I believe in a fair and open competition but this is no time to put American service members and workers on hold while a foreign company waffles", Murray said in a statement released Friday morning.
"Holding the door open to an illegally-subsidized foreign company is the wrong move for our men and women in uniform, workers, and economy."
The aging fleet of KC-135's at Fairchild and other bases around the country would be replaced. Boeing has submitted a proposal featuring a modified version of its smaller, 767 tanker that would burn less fuel and require fewer base modifications than the Northrop Grumman tanker, which is based on the much larger Airbus 330.
