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Connecticut Delegation Demands Answers on Tanker Decision From Air Force

Press Release

Date: March 5, 2008
Location: Washington, DC
Issues: Defense

Members of the Connecticut Congressional Delegation are requesting a briefing from the Air Force on their decision to award the Tanker KC-X contract to Northup Grumman and foreign-based EADS Corp over American-based Boeing. The Air Force should answer questions about how they made their decision and why, given the current economic and security situations our country faces. The delegation is particularly concerned because the decision impacts thousands of much needed Connecticut jobs. The Boeing planes included engines produced by Pratt and Whitney and electrical systems from Hamilton Sundstrand.

Defense projects that have been outsourced to foreign countries have experienced significant delays and excessive cost overruns. The current Marine One helicopter contract awarded to Lockheed Martin and its British-Italian Partner, AgustaWestland-Finmeccanica, is billions of dollars over budget.

Given the size and importance of the tanker project, the Air Force has a responsibility to explain the basis of their decision to Members of Congress and more importantly, to the American people.


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