Last week, the Pentagon announced it will initiate a new bidding process for the $35 billion contract to replace the aging fleet of Boeing built KC135 aerial refueling tankers. That is good news for Washington because whether the new tanker specifications call for building it on a 767 or 777 airframe, both models are built in Washington at Paine Field. Some of the new tankers would be stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base just west of Spokane.
AWB and many local chambers of commerce joined forces and sent letters and e-mails asking the Pentagon and Congress to look into the contract awarded to Northrop Grumman which, as awarded earlier this year, called for building the new tanker on an Airbus 330 airframe. From an outsider's point of view, it appeared that Boeing and Northrop Grumman had different bidding specifications.
Hopefully, when the new bidding is concluded, Boeing will get the contract and build that new refueler in Washington.
