Re: NOTÍCIAS
Enviado: Ter Mar 09, 2010 3:12 pm
Northrop Grumman/EADS Team Will Not Bid for the US Tanker
(Source: EADS; issued March 8, 2010)
LEIDEN, Netherlands --- EADS confirms that the Northrop Grumman/EADS team will not bid for the US Air Force Tanker replacement programme, following the announcement by its partner Northrop Grumman that they decided not to bid.
Five years ago EADS had partnered with Northrop Grumman, as prime contractor, to pursue the US Air Force KC-135 modernisation programme. In 2008, the team was selected and awarded the contract. Today, Northrop Grumman has decided not to submit a bid to the Department of Defense (DoD) for the KC-X programme.
The team had expressed serious concerns to the DoD and the U.S. Air Force that the acquisition methodology outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP) would heavily weigh the competition in favour of the smaller, less capable Boeing tanker. Northrop Grumman’s analysis of the RFP reaffirmed those concerns and prompted the decision not to bid.
The source selection methodology clearly signals a preference for a smaller aircraft. This is particularly disappointing given that the Air Force previously had selected the A330-based KC-45 because of its added capability, lower risk and best value. The Defense Department’s RFP ignores the added combat capability that could be provided by the KC-45.
The A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) is the most capable, low risk tanker in the world today—having been flown, tested and proven. The A330 MRTT has been selected over the Boeing tanker in the last five consecutive competitions and will shortly enter service with several US allies.
This decision does not diminish EADS’ commitment to the US, as reflected in the success of the Army’s Light Utility Helicopter. It also can be seen in the many EADS systems and capabilities that operate with the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. EADS is the largest international customer for US aerospace and defence products, contributing over $11 billion dollars annually to the American economy and supporting more than 200,000 high technology jobs.
EADS acknowledges the support from the leadership of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain in supporting the EADS proposal, promoting transatlantic defence cooperation as a two-way street and the interoperability that the KC-45 would offer.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, the group -
comprising Airbus, Eurocopter, EADS Astrium and EADS Defence & Security – generated
revenues of EUR 43.3 billion and employed a workforce of about 118,000.
-ends-
Statement on US Refuelling Tanker Programme Announcement
(Source: European Commission; issued March 9, 2010)
The European Commission notes the decision announced on 8th March by Northrop Grumman / EADS not to submit a bid to the US Department of Defence contract for the US Air Force's aerial refuelling tanker programme.
"It is highly regrettable that a major potential supplier would feel unable to bid for a contract of this type. Open procurement markets guarantee better competition and better value for money for the taxpayer", stated Commissioner Karel De Gucht.
In February 2008, Northrop Grumman / EADS was selected and awarded the contract to provide aerial refuelling tankers for the US Air Force in a fair and transparent competition. This was a positive sign for free and open competition across the Atlantic. This also seemed to indicate that successful bids are possible when European industry teams up with US industry and they are allowed to compete fairly. This award was subsequently cancelled at the end of 2008.
In December 2009, Northrop Grumman / EADS expressed serious concerns to the Department of Defence and the US Air Force on the proposed acquisition criteria for the contract.
The European Commission would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract.
The US defence trade balance with the EU has traditionally been significantly in the US' favour. In 2008 the US exported $5 billion and imported only $2.2 billion worth of defence material, in line with a historic ratio of double exports to imports.
The Commission will be following further developments in this case very closely. (ends)
EU Warns Against Protectionism In Billion Dollar Air Force Contract
(Source: Deutsche Welle German radio; issued March 9, 2010)
The EU has warned against US protectionism, after European aerospace giant EADS said it was dropping out of a multi-billion dollar contract bid process. American rival Boeing is now the only bidder.
The EU has warned Washington of negative consequences for future defense deals between the US and Europe if a recent contract for Air Force air-refuelling tankers is proven to have favored a US company.
The European Commission called the decision by a European-led consortium not to submit a bid for the Pentagon's contract for refuelling tankers "highly regrettable."
"The European Commission would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract," a statement from Brussels said.
European aerospace giant EADS withdrew its bid on Monday for $35 billion (25.7 billion euros) in tanker plane contracts with the US Air Force, saying the terms of the deal appeared designed to favor a smaller jet offered by American rival Boeing.
The announcement left Boeing as the only bidder.
The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, parent company of Airbus, had joined forces with US firm Northrop Grumman to compete with Boeing over the contract to build 179 tankers, which refuel warplanes.
The EADS move came after Northrop Grumman dropped out of the bid for the contract, which would have guaranteed thousands of manufacturing jobs in Britain, France, Germany and Spain.
Bitter battle comes to an end
The decision followed a two-year struggle against American protectionism, and ended a bitter political battle over the deal, which is among the biggest US defense procurement projects on record.
In presenting his decision, Airbus CEO Thomas Enders criticized the Pentagon for presenting guidelines that he said clearly favored Chicago-based Boeing.
"The current bid is clearly tailored to the smaller and less-capable refueller of the competition," Enders told German press agency dpa. "The conclusion is clear: This is not about the best tanker and also not about a fair competition."
Possible no-bid contract
The US Defense Department said it was disappointed by the EADS-Northrop decision, but it denied accusations of unfairness. The Pentagon may now be forced to award a contract to Boeing without any competition, a practice US President Barack Obama has sharply criticized as a bad deal for taxpayers.
Meanwhile, Boeing used the announcement to talk up its own model for the tanker, based on the commercial 767.
"The Boeing NewGen Tanker will be safe and survivable in combat, will save the American taxpayer $10 billion in fuel costs over its 40-year life, and is American-designed and built," Boeing spokesman Bill Barksdale said in a statement.
EADS and Northrop were offering a larger model based on the Airbus A330, which they claimed had greater capability, lower risk and better value despite its size.
Fight for jobs
The Air Force has sought to replace its 1950s-era set of Boeing tanker planes for years. The Pentagon originally awarded the contract to EADS and Northrop, leading critics in the US to decry a loss of jobs to European manufacturers when they were most needed at home.
Boeing was later able to convince a congressional oversight agency to reverse its decision in June 2008, and the Defense Department officially reopened the competition last month.
Support for EADS-Northrop was concentrated in southern states because of Northrop's promise to build an assembly plant in Alabama. The aerospace duo said 58 percent of the plane and its parts would be assembled by American labor.
The decision to drop out of the competition was a setback for EADS' plans to expand into the enormous US defense market, where its current presence is relatively small.
-ends-
(Source: EADS; issued March 8, 2010)
LEIDEN, Netherlands --- EADS confirms that the Northrop Grumman/EADS team will not bid for the US Air Force Tanker replacement programme, following the announcement by its partner Northrop Grumman that they decided not to bid.
Five years ago EADS had partnered with Northrop Grumman, as prime contractor, to pursue the US Air Force KC-135 modernisation programme. In 2008, the team was selected and awarded the contract. Today, Northrop Grumman has decided not to submit a bid to the Department of Defense (DoD) for the KC-X programme.
The team had expressed serious concerns to the DoD and the U.S. Air Force that the acquisition methodology outlined in the Request for Proposal (RFP) would heavily weigh the competition in favour of the smaller, less capable Boeing tanker. Northrop Grumman’s analysis of the RFP reaffirmed those concerns and prompted the decision not to bid.
The source selection methodology clearly signals a preference for a smaller aircraft. This is particularly disappointing given that the Air Force previously had selected the A330-based KC-45 because of its added capability, lower risk and best value. The Defense Department’s RFP ignores the added combat capability that could be provided by the KC-45.
The A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) is the most capable, low risk tanker in the world today—having been flown, tested and proven. The A330 MRTT has been selected over the Boeing tanker in the last five consecutive competitions and will shortly enter service with several US allies.
This decision does not diminish EADS’ commitment to the US, as reflected in the success of the Army’s Light Utility Helicopter. It also can be seen in the many EADS systems and capabilities that operate with the US Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard. EADS is the largest international customer for US aerospace and defence products, contributing over $11 billion dollars annually to the American economy and supporting more than 200,000 high technology jobs.
EADS acknowledges the support from the leadership of France, Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain in supporting the EADS proposal, promoting transatlantic defence cooperation as a two-way street and the interoperability that the KC-45 would offer.
EADS is a global leader in aerospace, defence and related services. In 2008, the group -
comprising Airbus, Eurocopter, EADS Astrium and EADS Defence & Security – generated
revenues of EUR 43.3 billion and employed a workforce of about 118,000.
-ends-
Statement on US Refuelling Tanker Programme Announcement
(Source: European Commission; issued March 9, 2010)
The European Commission notes the decision announced on 8th March by Northrop Grumman / EADS not to submit a bid to the US Department of Defence contract for the US Air Force's aerial refuelling tanker programme.
"It is highly regrettable that a major potential supplier would feel unable to bid for a contract of this type. Open procurement markets guarantee better competition and better value for money for the taxpayer", stated Commissioner Karel De Gucht.
In February 2008, Northrop Grumman / EADS was selected and awarded the contract to provide aerial refuelling tankers for the US Air Force in a fair and transparent competition. This was a positive sign for free and open competition across the Atlantic. This also seemed to indicate that successful bids are possible when European industry teams up with US industry and they are allowed to compete fairly. This award was subsequently cancelled at the end of 2008.
In December 2009, Northrop Grumman / EADS expressed serious concerns to the Department of Defence and the US Air Force on the proposed acquisition criteria for the contract.
The European Commission would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract.
The US defence trade balance with the EU has traditionally been significantly in the US' favour. In 2008 the US exported $5 billion and imported only $2.2 billion worth of defence material, in line with a historic ratio of double exports to imports.
The Commission will be following further developments in this case very closely. (ends)
EU Warns Against Protectionism In Billion Dollar Air Force Contract
(Source: Deutsche Welle German radio; issued March 9, 2010)
The EU has warned against US protectionism, after European aerospace giant EADS said it was dropping out of a multi-billion dollar contract bid process. American rival Boeing is now the only bidder.
The EU has warned Washington of negative consequences for future defense deals between the US and Europe if a recent contract for Air Force air-refuelling tankers is proven to have favored a US company.
The European Commission called the decision by a European-led consortium not to submit a bid for the Pentagon's contract for refuelling tankers "highly regrettable."
"The European Commission would be extremely concerned if it were to emerge that the terms of tender were such as to inhibit open competition for the contract," a statement from Brussels said.
European aerospace giant EADS withdrew its bid on Monday for $35 billion (25.7 billion euros) in tanker plane contracts with the US Air Force, saying the terms of the deal appeared designed to favor a smaller jet offered by American rival Boeing.
The announcement left Boeing as the only bidder.
The European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company, parent company of Airbus, had joined forces with US firm Northrop Grumman to compete with Boeing over the contract to build 179 tankers, which refuel warplanes.
The EADS move came after Northrop Grumman dropped out of the bid for the contract, which would have guaranteed thousands of manufacturing jobs in Britain, France, Germany and Spain.
Bitter battle comes to an end
The decision followed a two-year struggle against American protectionism, and ended a bitter political battle over the deal, which is among the biggest US defense procurement projects on record.
In presenting his decision, Airbus CEO Thomas Enders criticized the Pentagon for presenting guidelines that he said clearly favored Chicago-based Boeing.
"The current bid is clearly tailored to the smaller and less-capable refueller of the competition," Enders told German press agency dpa. "The conclusion is clear: This is not about the best tanker and also not about a fair competition."
Possible no-bid contract
The US Defense Department said it was disappointed by the EADS-Northrop decision, but it denied accusations of unfairness. The Pentagon may now be forced to award a contract to Boeing without any competition, a practice US President Barack Obama has sharply criticized as a bad deal for taxpayers.
Meanwhile, Boeing used the announcement to talk up its own model for the tanker, based on the commercial 767.
"The Boeing NewGen Tanker will be safe and survivable in combat, will save the American taxpayer $10 billion in fuel costs over its 40-year life, and is American-designed and built," Boeing spokesman Bill Barksdale said in a statement.
EADS and Northrop were offering a larger model based on the Airbus A330, which they claimed had greater capability, lower risk and better value despite its size.
Fight for jobs
The Air Force has sought to replace its 1950s-era set of Boeing tanker planes for years. The Pentagon originally awarded the contract to EADS and Northrop, leading critics in the US to decry a loss of jobs to European manufacturers when they were most needed at home.
Boeing was later able to convince a congressional oversight agency to reverse its decision in June 2008, and the Defense Department officially reopened the competition last month.
Support for EADS-Northrop was concentrated in southern states because of Northrop's promise to build an assembly plant in Alabama. The aerospace duo said 58 percent of the plane and its parts would be assembled by American labor.
The decision to drop out of the competition was a setback for EADS' plans to expand into the enormous US defense market, where its current presence is relatively small.
-ends-
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