Senator Sessions Talks About Not Protesting EADS' Decision
By: Stephen Crews
Updated: March 6, 2011
The European plane-building company that lost out on a $35 billion refueling tanker deal isn't appealing the Air Force's decision to go with Chicago-based Boeing. The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co. said Friday it won't ask the Pentagon to review the decision to have Boeing build nearly 200 giant airborne refueling tankers.
U.S. Senator Jeff Sessions, who is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, says, "Air Force officials declared Boeing the winner of the tanker contract, which was a great disappointment to Mobile. EADS has evaluated the results of the competition and has chosen not to protest. However, I will continue to scrutinize the results to ensure the contract award was fair and justified."
The Air Force last week picked Boeing to build a replacement for the Eisenhower-era tanker fleet. The contract would mean tens of thousands of U.S. jobs, with Washington state and Kansas getting the bulk of the work.
Although Alabama will lose out on thousands of jobs, Sessions is trying to find the silver lining. "It is clear that this fierce competition drove down the cost of the aircraft. Now, the winner must deliver on their promises. Regardless of the unfortunate outcome, the EADS team's decision to make Mobile their production site affirms what we already know—that Alabama is a leader in defense and a great place to conduct business in the global economy."
EADS planned to assemble the aircraft at a closed military base in Mobile, Alabama. The tankers allow jet fighters, supply planes and other aircraft to cover long distances.
