WASHINGTON – The American partner of European aircraft maker Airbus dropped its bid Monday evening to build the next generation of U.S. Air Force refueling tankers. That leaves Boeing as the only bidder for the $35 billion deal. In it’s announcement, Northrup Grumman said it’s tanker was better but that the Pentagon stacked the deck in favor of Boeing. Alabama’s governor told ABC News the program was a “charade” and said the Pentagon made it “impossible” for Northrop and Airbus to compete. Washington state Congressman Norm Dicks rejected Northrup’s claim in a statement that it believes a Boeing plane would be a less capable tanker. He said the Boeing 767, which would be converted into the proposed tanker, burns less fuel. Washington Sen. Patty Murray also dismissed Northup’s claims but said Boeing still has to work to land the deal. Kansas Gov. Mark Parkinson, a member of a coalition of governors who want the contract awarded to Boeing, said Boeing will produce a good and dependable tanker for the Air Force. Awarding the contract to Boeing could mean another 40,000 jobs for Americans, including at the Boeing plant in Wichita, he said. Other Kansas politicians expressed similar views. The Northrup-Airbus announcement is the latest turn in the long-running saga which was marked by scandal and heavy-duty political arm-twisting.
