A press release from Congressman Don Manzullo:
Manzullo Hails Boeing Victory on Air Refueling Tanker Contract
Northern IL manufacturers already huge suppliers to Boeing, could benefit from contract
[WASHINGTON] Congressman Don Manzullo (R-IL) issued the following statement tonight after the U.S. Air Force announced Chicago-based Boeing has won its competition with Europe’s Airbus to design and build the next generation air refueling tanker:
“We have spent the last several years trying to convince the Air Force that Chicago-based Boeing deserves to build the next generation air refueling tanker, and we are ecstatic with the decision today to award the contract to the American manufacturer.
“This is a huge victory for American workers as well as the dozens of manufacturers in northern Illinois who supply nearly $180 million in products and services annually to Boeing. We have always worked closely with Boeing in helping them identify local manufacturing partners, and we will continue to seek job-creating contracts for northern Illinois manufacturers as Boeing ramps up to build the new tanker.”
Zero manufacturing to be done in Illinois on this tanker.
and zero need for the aircraft, according to the Pentagon. Am sure Donny will get a lot of lunches and contributions from Chicago based Boeing for once again wasting money.
Zero need? The current KC-135 fuelers are a 707 derivative, half a century old. Replacement is long overdue, and the 767 is the best platform to use.