Comments on: Some New Tanker Gouge

By: irtusk

irtusk — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:26:50 +0000

> Back in 2001/2002 it was a “no brainer” as the only other “competition”,
> a A330-200-based tanker was a “non starter” because (among other
> things) it is too big & too heavy.
no, it was a ‘non starter’ because they didn’t bribe the right officials like Boeing did

By: pfcem

pfcem — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 19:17:50 +0000

Harlequin,
No I do not work for Boeing & as I have said before whether the KC-X is built by Boeing or not is not my issue. My issue is that a 767-based tanker is the right tanker to replace the KC-135. Back in 2001/2002 it was a “no brainer” as the only other “competition”, a A330-200-based tanker was a “non starter” because (among other things) it is too big & too heavy.
It is the the KC-30/NG/EADS Kool-Aid drinkers who have engaged in the counterintelligence program. They deliberately (or out of ignorance) over simplify &/or misrepresent the facts & issues.

By: C4Casey

C4Casey — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 14:14:51 +0000

Well, of course a Northrup official is going to assure anyone he talks to that the deal was completly fair and water tight. I highly doubt the GAO will grant the Air Force’s request to throw out the protest after denying the previous motion, and the fact that the GAO didn’t throw out parts of Boeing’s protest leads me to believe that whatever Boeing is telling the GAO, it’s bringing at least some of its members on to Boeing’s side.

By: Speartip

Speartip — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:48:32 +0000

“Enlightned dictatorship, or rather, Enlightened Communism fairs no better…“
Sadly, agreed. But you’ll have to admit free market economy isn’t ‘free’ as well; that would mean the best or cheapest gets picked, end.
That doesn’t happen when the loser throws a fit and starts lawsuiting the winner. And I’m not just talking tankers here, see the previous M16 vs. H&K debate here. There’s a lot of non-economic but political faces to the story. It smells of protectionism, which is arguably one form of communism.
Nothing is perfect. Not even me.

By: SMSgt Mac

SMSgt Mac — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:33:16 +0000

RE ‘Tis NOT sad to see as pfcern, whether he works for Boeing or not, has been the only one that makes the most technical sense whereas the rest have not presented anymore than technical garbage.
Gyro drift and do-looping = ‘technical sense’?
Good one!
Wait.…you were serious?
Example please. (AKA “Pull!”)
PS: ‘Red Teamed’ is an extremely well known euphemism in aerospace/defense that in this case means they had a disinterested party try to poke holes in their decision, logic and process before finalizing the award.

By: WR

WR — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:00:24 +0000

“enlightened dicatorship“
Enlightned dictatorship, or rather, Enlightened Communism fairs no better as it impedes technological progress and leads to compromising safety in order to keep updated. No dictator should singly have all power but rather if it should be, a dictator that shares power with a small (again, SMALL) council of state. Unless he is a Benevolent Dictator, he will accomplish nothing good for himself or his nation.
Free enterprise is not inferior as it weeds out the weaklings.

By: WR

WR — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 12:55:10 +0000

‘Tis NOT sad to see as pfcern, whether he works for Boeing or not, has been the only one that makes the most technical sense whereas the rest have not presented anymore than technical garbage. (and I work for Boeing’s competitor as a defense mechanical engineer.) This is not to say that he makes the most non-technical (politics, etc.) sense.

By: Harlequin

Harlequin — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:52:36 +0000

Its quite sad to see that , from all the comments posted over the last few weeks , pfcem is engaged in a CONINTELPRO and works for boeing.

By: Speartip

Speartip — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:06:03 +0000

Jeez… what useless discussions.
That’s what you get with your free-market democracy. I say a enlightened dicatorship is better.
Me dictator, me say what goes. If I say airforce buy tanker X, then end of discussion. If other firm protests, let them stick their plane where the sun don’t shine. Case closed.
And what is it with you Americans only wanting to buy US stuff? I mean, if your stuff is best, why not close off your borders and revel in your excellence? It’s a f*ing PLANET, people. We’re all brothers.

By: ibig

ibig — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:14:37 +0000

Why should we be shocked to have US buying european derived aircraft?
Most of the dollar-value is US made. It comes from allies that have spent and spend a huge amount of money in US military equipment.
Strategic reasons? We are not talking about F22 or the B1s. And most of tech there is US Northrop Grumman made anyway…
http://www.metacafe.com/watch/259220/kc_30_tanker_aircraft/