Air force KC-45 Boeing or Northrop Grumman POLL

[ForcedTorque]

For those who have been paying attention, the Air Force chose Northrop Grumman over Boeing when the contract was awarded. Boeing has filed an arbitration suit, and it has been ruled by the GAO that they should go back and look at a few things in the deal. Who do you think will end up getting the deal?


Mods...Feel free to move this to the political section if need be.

 

[CPT Furious]

I'm note going to vote because I don't know enough about NG, but I think Boeing has had a lot of questionable practices in the past with the Air Force and contracts. There was that whole deal a few years back on this same topic with the Air Force female got sent to prison, too.

For example, I fly the T-6A right now and even though one company supposedly "makes" the plane, a lot of subcontractors build individual parts. We had one case where the wing spar was not assembled correctly and we were limited to 5.5 G's vs. the standard 7 G limit. There have been numerous other issues lately with the landing gear, power management, etc. that makes me not have a lot of faith in government contracts.

Short version, whoever helps out our country the most with jobs and has honorable business practices has my vote...but I won't hold my breath that one company is really better than another one.

 

[ForcedTorque]

Northrop Grumman is not a totally American company. I think one part is, but the other part is not. Their plan includes help (created jobs) in 49 states. I believe whatever the GAO cited as being done wrong probably stems from their problems with Boeing. Ultimately I think NG is going to get the contract, but it's the government, so you never know.

 

[flight doc89]

For example, I fly the T-6A right now and even though one company supposedly "makes" the plane, a lot of subcontractors build individual parts. We had one case where the wing spar was not assembled correctly and we were limited to 5.5 G's vs. the standard 7 G limit. There have been numerous other issues lately with the landing gear, power management, etc. that makes me not have a lot of faith in government contracts.

I was under the impression that the wing spars were made fine, just that after 60 years, they started showing their age. We had to pull the wings and paint the inside with some flourescent paint or something like that so we could look for hairline cracks in the joint

 

[CPT Furious]

The Tweet maybe...but most T-6's aren't even 10 years old yet. There was something the FAA found during an inspection that made them come up with that rule. In addition, if an airplane has less than 400 hours on the motor, it used to be flown only in day, VMC, with an IP on board. Now they are all just grounded. Awesome...

 

[turbojuiced]

IMHO, I have no idea but it will be interesting to see. I am pretty sure NG will end up with the contract. But I am not going to count boeing out as they have alot of experience with building refueling a/c. After all we still use their kc-135 stratotankers.

 

[flight doc89]

The Tweet maybe...but most T-6's aren't even 10 years old yet. There was something the FAA found during an inspection that made them come up with that rule. In addition, if an airplane has less than 400 hours on the motor, it used to be flown only in day, VMC, with an IP on board. Now they are all just grounded. Awesome...

oh, you mean the newer turbine T6's? i thought you meant the old radial engine WWII trainers lol

 

[Evilempire1.3JZ-GTE]

I used to work on KC-135 installing complete PACER CRAG glass cockpits should boeing get the first dibs?

 

[CPT Furious]

Doc, sorry man! Yes, I meant the new one. I keep forgetting this is the second iteration of it. The original still probably works better...

 

[turbojuiced]

I used to work on KC-135 installing complete PACER CRAG glass cockpits should boeing get the first dibs?

Hey awesome so were you in the AF? And I am not so sure if boeing should get first dibs. All I care about is making sure we get the most bang for the buck so to say. Whethor that is with NG or Boeing only time will tell. Both have made some amazing contributions to our military.

 

[Wade T]

Let's not forget how small Northrop's scope of work will be since AIRBUS will be providing the airframe. I think it's outragous, our tax dollars/jobs going to to the EU..

The GAO did the right thing since the Chairforce pulled a bait & switch on Boeing.

 

[turbojuiced]

Let's not forget how small Northrop's scope of work will be since AIRBUS will be providing the airframe. I think it's outragous, our tax dollars/jobs going to to the EU..

The GAO did the right thing since the Chairforce pulled a bait & switch on Boeing.

Hey I resent that chairforce remark :biglaugh:. Actually I love it. It amazes me that we are known as the chairforce and we have the worlds #1 Air Force. music to my ears :biglaugh: