Airbus-EADS Wins Bid for US Air Force Refueling Tankers

Airbus's parent corporation, European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company (EADS), has selected Mobile, Alabama, as the site for an engineering and manufacturing plant to build refueling tankers for the US Air Force. This decision comes after the Pentagon reopened the bidding process following the cancellation of a contract with Boeing due to a procurement scandal. EADS plans to invest $600 million in the facility and create over a thousand jobs.

Key Takeaways:

• EADS, the parent corporation of Airbus, has selected Mobile, Alabama, as the site for an engineering and manufacturing plant to build refueling tankers for the US Air Force.
• The facility is expected to cost $600 million and create over a thousand jobs.
• The decision comes after the Pentagon reopened the bidding process following the cancellation of a contract with Boeing due to a procurement scandal.
• Boeing, the American aerospace giant, had previously held the tanker contract but it was canceled last year amid the major procurement scandal.
• The Pentagon plans to award an initial contract by late next year if an independent review concludes that the Air Force needs new aerial tankers.
• Other key members of Congress are calling on the Pentagon to waive 'by America' requirements and consider a proposal from EADS along with proposals from Boeing.

Statistics:

• $600 million: The estimated cost of the EADS facility in Mobile, Alabama.
• Over 1,000: The number of jobs expected to be created by the EADS facility.
• Late next year: The tentative date for the Air Force to award an initial contract for the refueling tankers.

Sources:

• NPR News, "Airbus Parent Company EADS Wins Bid for US Air Force Tankers," by Wendy Kaufman.
• NPR News, "Morning Edition" broadcast, dated [undisclosed] (Note: Source does not provide a date).
• European Aeronautic, Defence and Space Company (EADS) [no specific source cited].
• Stuart Nibley, a Washington, DC, lawyer, as quoted in the NPR News broadcast.