Tanker debate may take some time

Tue, March 10, 2009 - 12:05 PM

The long-simmering debate over plans to build new Air Force refueling tankers may continue to simmer for a long time to come.

Congressional Quarterly is reporting President Barack Obama has given the Pentagon the OK to delay purchasing new tankers for five years.

Northrop Grumman and partner European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. beat out Boeing to win the $35 billion order from the Air Force. But congressional auditors recommended in June the decision be reconsidered and the Pentagon decided to wait until the next president was in office to make a decision.

If Obama does push the tanker replacement back, that’s not likely to sit well with Senate and House members whose states were expected to get a big financial boost from construction of the tanker.

Northrop Grumman and EADS had proposed building the tanker in Mobile, Ala., while Boeing would have built it in Kansas and Washington.

Boeing supporters in Congress complained loudly when the contract was won by Northrop Grumman and EADS and felt vindicated when the contract was overturned. Alternately, Alabama officials who had expected a big economic boost from the tanker were dismayed by the decision.

-- Amy Dominello