Jump to content

Northrop/EADS fuel tanker aircraft plant


Southron

Recommended Posts

If the new Air Force tanker is built in Mobile, it could turn the city into a major player in international aerospace. Airbus officials hinted recently that the EADS plant in Mobile could be expanded to produce A330s for the commercial market, identifying the A330 Freighter as a prime candidate because of its similarity to the tanker. The move would allow Airbus to take advantage of the weak U.S. dollar.

If the KC-30 aircraft is chosen, production would be split between two separate plants. The first, operated by EADS, would assemble an airframe based on the A330-200. The plane would then pass to Northrop to be modified into a military tanker.

Mobile Press-Register: Mobile could be next aerospace capital

Link to comment
Share on other sites


  • Replies 43
  • Created
  • Last Reply

The Northrup-EADS KC-30 tanker was a star attraction at the Paris Air Show, one of several must-see aircraft at the bi-annual event. The plane can carry 24 percent more fuel and 44 percent more cargo than its competitor, the Boeing KC-767. Australia, Great Britain and the United Arab Emirates have recently purchased the KC-30, and Saudi Arabia could announce a contract in Paris this week.

Boeing's tanker program hit a rough stretch in recent weeks. The company acknowledged delays in delivering the KC-767 to customers in Italy and Japan, and the hold-ups could extend into next year. The KC-30 program is experiencing no such delays.

Boeing will be tough to beat for this contract, but Northrup-EADS and Alabama officials are working hard to pitch the Mobile plant location.

Mobile Press-Register: KC-30 tanker star in Paris

Montgomery Advertiser: Recruiting takes on regional flair

New York Times: Airbus Seeks a Welcome in Alabama

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 3 months later...
If the new Air Force tanker is built in Mobile, it could turn the city into a major player in international aerospace. Airbus officials hinted recently that the EADS plant in Mobile could be expanded to produce A330s for the commercial market, identifying the A330 Freighter as a prime candidate because of its similarity to the tanker. The move would allow Airbus to take advantage of the weak U.S. dollar.

If the KC-30 aircraft is chosen, production would be split between two separate plants. The first, operated by EADS, would assemble an airframe based on the A330-200. The plane would then pass to Northrop to be modified into a military tanker.

Mobile Press-Register: Mobile could be next aerospace capital

Link to comment
Share on other sites

According to a report in a German business publication, Airbus is now looking to build a new aircraft assembly plant in the U.S. or Russia, with Mobile as the most likely location. However, landing the Air Force tanker contract may be a requirement for this to happen.

Birmingham News: Airbus may set Mobile, Alabama, plant to build commercial planes

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 5 weeks later...

Boeing and Northrop Grumman on Thursday submitted final bids for the $40 billion contract to begin replacing the U.S. Air Force's fleet of aerial refueling tankers. An initial contract for 179 new tankers is expected to be awarded by March. That contract will be the first of three orders to replace the full fleet of KC-135s over the next 30 years, with the full value of the contracts above $100 billion.

EADS beat Boeing for a contract to build aerial refueling tankers for Saudi Arabia, a win which may add momentum to its bid with Northrop for the contract in the US.

Mobile Press-Register:

Last bids made on air tankers

EADS lands Saudi Arabia tanker contract

Link to comment
Share on other sites

EADS will announce Monday that it will produce a commercial cargo version of its popular A330-200 twin-engine jet in a new plant at Brookley Field Industrial Complex if its bid for the Air Force refueling tanker contract is successful. Northrop and EADS projected the tanker program will create up to 1,500 direct jobs in Mobile, plus about 5,000 more spin-off jobs statewide. Adding the cargo plane would increase direct employment by at least 200 to 300 workers.

Mobile Press-Register: EADS to announce aircraft plans

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^ I think you're right about the politics involved, ChiliPepper. Maybe this announcement of additional potential production will help Mobile's chances.

---

Airbus, a subsidiary of EADS, confirmed plans to assemble commercial jets in Mobile, if Northrop/EADS wins a bid to build aerial refueling tankers for the U.S. Air Force. Airbus said its plan to add production of A330 cargo aircraft would create another 300 direct jobs and potentially thousands more with suppliers.

Airbus would build commerical jets here

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...

The moment looks like it will arrive on Monday, or shortly thereafter. Keep your fingers and toes crossed. Like it says in the article though, I'd expect the loser to contest the decision if for no other reason than the scope of the project and the potential profits. So, you can probably tack on another 12 months before the decision becomes final.

http://www.al.com/news/press-register/inde....xml&coll=3

Link to comment
Share on other sites

^ Fingers crossed for the big day tomorrow.

---

Air Force officials met Friday at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Ohio to finalize their selection. The decision will be reviewed Monday by the Defense Acquisition Board, and could be announced soon after the 2 p.m. meeting at the Pentagon.

Mobile Press-Register: Jet tanker countdown nears zero

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After a winner is announced, the losing tanker contract bidder is expected to challenge the decision by filing a formal protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The likelihood of a protest could lead the Air Force to split the order between the two manufacturers to help prevent additional delays. Some defense analysts believe the 'spit buy' approach is gaining traction. The split buy approach would entail more up-front costs but would provide flexibility to the Air Force with two different-sized aircraft.

Splitting the contract may turn out to be Mobile's best bet.

Mobile Press-Register: Officials finalize tanker decision

WKRG: Time Is Ticking On Tanker Deal (with video)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

After a winner is announced, the losing tanker contract bidder is expected to challenge the decision by filing a formal protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office. The likelihood of a protest could lead the Air Force to split the order between the two manufacturers to help prevent additional delays. Some defense analysts believe the 'spit buy' approach is gaining traction. The split buy approach would entail more up-front costs but would provide flexibility to the Air Force with two different-sized aircraft.

Splitting the contract may turn out to be Mobile's best bet.

Mobile Press-Register: Officials finalize tanker decision

WKRG: Time Is Ticking On Tanker Deal (with video)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

According to a Reuters article, the U.S. Air Force made a late adjustment to its evaluation criteria for bids from Boeing and Northrop, resulting in a lower score for the Northrop/EADS plane. Something smells fishy here. An aerospace industry consultant said, "it sure looks like the fix is in."

US Air Force made late change to tanker criteria

Air Force could announce its decision on tanker today

Link to comment
Share on other sites

You know i thought about that too. Maybe with the economy being bad elsewhere it might cause people to move here looking for jobs. I really don't mind bringing in foreigners to do the job if they can't find the workers in our city.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.