Boeing: Our Tanker Was Better

CHICAGO (AP) - Boeing still believes its proposal for an aerial
refueling tanker was less expensive, less risky and superior
overall to that of the rival partnership that was awarded a $35
billion U.S. Air Force contract.
Jim Albaugh, top executive of Boeing's Integrated Defense
Systems, said the company will press its case at a Friday
debriefing with Air Force officials who gave the high-profile
contract to Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Defence and
Space Company.
The decision to award the contract, at least in part, to a
company overseas has led to calls for an examination of the deal in
Congress.
He said Boeing will protest the decision only if it suspects an
"irregularity."
Albaugh said the company was surprised to lose the contract
because it was convinced it offered exactly what the Air Force
sought in the contract's request for proposal - and for less than
the specified $35 billion.
Albaugh said Boeing couldn't understand that preference since he
said the Air Force hadn't emphasized size in what it wanted.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)