Comments on: Boeing, The Military Contract, A Continueing Saga

By: justmytruth

justmytruth — Thu, 14 Aug 2008 03:24:16 +0000

Now see, I’d expect someone from Daimler Benz Aerospace Airbus to say this. If you are wondering how I know where you were when you wrote this it is the IP addy attached to the comment. Anyone can look that up if they care to. I do…

So it figures that you would have a stake in making a comment like this and voting FOR the A330. It isn’t the best aircraft for the money, for the Air Force or for American troops. But busy bodies from other countries are allowed to have their say, even if they are biased and all for giving away America jobs and infrastructure. What benefits EADS benefits you, no?

By: John

John — Tue, 05 Aug 2008 10:28:38 +0000

I’m confused. Does the USAF need a new tanker? If yes, does the USAF and the citizens of the USA want the best tanker for the job?
If yes, who cares where it is built, who builds it, where the parts come from and how much it might cost to change the infrastructure (hangars and runways)? I am not making any judgment on the assumptions made by people. My point is, if you truly want the best, then all these other points are not pertinent. Anybody claiming otherwise is a hypocrite. One other question, who would design and carry out the mods on these old 767s and DC10s? Air Force? Boeing? Mr. Ricks and his fellow aviation buffs? Retrofitting is not a cheap and cost effective manner to build a modern refueling tanker. Not a bad try though. Personally I would like to cut through all the hyperbole. I believe that the A330 based tanker will be a better tanker. Newer technology (including modern fly by wire flight controls, not cables and pulleys, something most people do not know or recognize)and a larger airframe that allows greater utitility. I do not think it is far better than the 767 based tanker, but merely better. I also do believe it will be more expensive. How much more is very much open to speculation. But as I previously stated, do you want the best or the cheapest, or the best for the economy but not the best for the military? People should be honest with there statements. Every one of these politicians (Murray, Dicks , Riley etc) are not interested in the best tanker for the militars. They care about there constituents. That is there job. The public on the other hand, should be more objective, or at least be more honest with themselves.

By: justmytruth

justmytruth — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 15:07:36 +0000

Thanks Ken,

I’m working on it. I appreciate all you have pointed me to. Thanks for sharing this information. I’ve come across some very interesting links related to this project and EADS/Northrup Grummun

By: Ken

Ken — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 12:56:46 +0000

This memo to Airbus staff as mentioned in the article may have been the source and would explain why there are no links, and why my friend could not send me a copy.

http://biz.yahoo.com/rb/080309/eads.html?.v=1

By: justmytruth

justmytruth — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 13:37:10 +0000

Thanks Ken,

I also tried their website and found the same problem with access. Perhaps we can find a journalist who will look into this? I do appreciate your efforts here.

Thank you!

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:40:15 +0000

A friend of mine in Europe sent me a copy and pasted excerpt because the link would not work, he recalls it was March 5th or 6th and was from a conference he thinks was being held in Belgrade. I’m still attempting to find a record of Gallois’ speeches on the Airbus website but you need press credentials to obtain them. He can’t recall the name of the publication but it was French.

By: justmytruth

justmytruth — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 04:33:01 +0000

Wow, that’s pretty incredible. Where did you get this from? You say Louis Gallois gave a speech? Where and when? Can you supply a link?

By: Ken

Ken — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 03:46:30 +0000

A translated extract from a speech given by Louis Gallois head of Airbus given to a Aviation conference in Europe shortly after the contract was announced, sorry for the clumsy translation, my French is not as good as it should be.

You’ll note that there is no mention of Northrop Grumman, and that the entire Aircraft will be built in Europe. So the question arises, what exactly is being built in the U.S. and by who?

Quote

“The American factory does it need to Airbus to offset the impact of the weak dollar?

We do not have this plant in the United States because of the weak dollar. It will help us a bit but the assembly is only between 6 and 7% of the added value of an airplane. But this site is part of the vision 2020, our strategic plan, which provides that the deadline we are present in the United States in defence. This is a major step.

This contract will it have a negative impact on the activity of European factories as employees fear?

Quite the opposite! I say that we take European labour for up to the United States. This is not that. We build an assembly line but all parts of the aircraft will be produced in Europe wings to Filton, England, the central section in Saint-Nazaire and the nose at Méaulte in France, the fuselage in Nordenham Germany, the tail of the aircraft in Spain. The 179 aircraft that we are delivering to the United States Air Force are on the contrary a remarkable support to the ramp up of the A 330. This is an additional workload for European factories.