European win was six years in the making

The European defence group EADS managed to land the very significant order to provide refuelling tankers to the US Air Force ahead of US rival Boeing, March 2008 after many years of preparation. The owner of Airbus, EADS, and US firm Northrop Grumman won the contract to build refuelling aircraft for the US Air Force, worth up to $40bn (£20bn).

Selection of the Northrop Grumman KC-30 Tanker by the U.S. Air Force, a system based on EADS’ A330 MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) and designated by the USAF as the KC-45A, will significantly increase EADS’ industrial presence and commitment in the United States, as well as its role as a US-based defence and homeland security provider.

BBC News, 1.3.08: Boeing loses out in $40bn US deal http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7272129.stm

http://www.eads.com/eads/int/en/news/all-press-releases.html http://www.eads.com/eads/int/en/news/all-press-releases.html

Boeing: Press Release, 29.2.08: Boeing Statement on U.S. Air Force Aerial Refueling Tanker Decision http://www.boeing.com/news/releases/2008/q1/080229a_nr.html

US Department of Defense: News Transcript, 29.2.08: DoD News Briefing with Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynne, Gen. Duncan McNabb, Sue Payton, and Gen. Arthur Lichte at the Pentagon Briefing Room, Arlington, Va. http://www.defenselink.mil/transcripts/transcript.aspx?transcriptid=4163

Deutsche Welle, 3.3.08: Airbus to Start Hiring After EADS Pentagon Coup http://www.dw-world.de/dw/article/0,2144,3164256,00.html

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