Business

<< Previous   of   Next >>   ADVERTISEMENT   CONTACT THE HERALD Mike Benbow, Business Editor benbow@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, July 15, 2008 Boeing still bullish on its tanker bid Executives are confident the company will prevail in its appeal to land the Air Force contract Associated Press FARNBOROUGH, England -- John Lockard, chief operating officer of the Boeing Co.'s defense unit, said Monday he is looking forward to addressing the revised bid request for a $35 billion tanker contract, calling the U.S. Air Force's intention to pick a winner by the end of the year "a sporty schedule." The Air Force in February selected Northrop Grumman Corp. and European aerospace and defense giant EADS to replace 179 Eisenhower-era aerial refueling planes. Boeing filed a protest in March, and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates said earlier this month the Pentagon will reopen the bid. It is expected to issue a draft of the revised bid request to the companies by early August. The deal, one of the largest in Pentagon history, is the first of three contracts worth up to $100 billion to replace nearly 600 refueling tankers over the next 30 years. Speaking in a news conference at the Farnborough International Airshow, Scott Carson, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said he believes Boeing will make a "credible" proposal that "can be and will be a winner." Louis Gallois, chief executive of EADS, said Saturday he is "confident" his team will win the bidding process once again. The Air Force's original decision provoked fury among U.S. politicians, who objected to the military deal being awarded to an overseas contractor. Boeing had supplied refueling tankers to the Air Force for nearly 50 years. Jim Albaugh, head of Boeing's defense business, claimed the reopening of the bid had nothing to do with protectionism. "We protested based on procedural issues," he said Monday. "We believe the U.S. military ought to get the best."

1. Boeing Machinists to picket today after contract talks fail 2. Abandoned puppies ready for adoption 3. Lake Stevens assistant coach collapses 4. Arlington spoils Peak's debut 5. UW vs. BYU game thread 6. Snohomish too much for Kamiak 7. Man sought on felony warrant flees police in Marysville 8. Archbishop Murphy defense bottles up the Lynden Lions 9. Composting company given deadline to trace stench 10. Pickets go up at Boeing as Machinists walk out 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Monroe slams shaky Shorewood in opener • Ferry lane grows one-mile longer • Bringing the world to Edmonds • FEMA turns to media to improve public image • Annexation's frustrations • A run for Charlotte • Annexation's frustrations • Minimalist food bars have local flavor • E-W aims for fifth straight league title • Leisure Time Events - September 2008 • September 2008 • State needs to establish north county campus to meet growing technology ... • Future software programs may be based online • Visit two unusual Paine Field aviation museums for historic and futurist ... • Mothers launch Kids ‘N’ Clay pottery studio to provide children with cre ... • AWB elections Web site debuts • Construction begins on Korry Electronics’ plant