Kansas delegation ramps up AF tanker pressure

[unhappycamper]

Kansas delegation ramps up AF tanker pressure
By John Milburn - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Mar 13, 2009 15:07:18 EDT

TOPEKA, Kan. — The Obama administration is getting pressure from the Kansas congressional delegation to act quickly on awarding a new contract for Air Force refueling tankers.

Rep. Todd Tiahrt and Sen. Pat Roberts insist that a decision to build the next generation of tankers is vital to national security and the Kansas economy.

The two Kansas Republicans have gone so far as to invite Peter Orzsag, director of the Office of Management and Budget, to come to Wichita’s McConnell Air Force Base and fly in one of the tankers.

Many of the aircraft were delivered to the Air Force during the Eisenhower administration. However, the Obama administration has suggested that any decision to award a new contract be delayed by up to five years.

The Air Force selected Northrop Grumman/EADS over rival Boeing Co. for the tanker project last year, but then it reopened the bidding after the Government Accounting Office found flaws with the decision. Had Chicago-based Boeing won the contract, the finishing militarization of the tanker would have been done at Boeing’s Integrated Defense Systems plant in Wichita.


Rest of article at: http://airforcetimes.com/news/2009/03/ap_airforce_tanker_contract_031309/%2e