It’s going to be a long, hot summer until the Air Force decides whether to reopen bidding, and, if so, whether to start over completely with a new set of rules. I’m beginning to think the entire tanker saga is like the original “Star War” trilogy.   Read More

I reported it would happen, and it did: Northrop Grumman has called off indefinitely the groundbreaking ceremony for its new Alabama tanker assembly facility, originally scheduled June 28th.   Read More

I asked for feedback on the tanker decision and I got it. Also, vote in the poll at the bottom.    Read More

Analysts were surprised, at least a little, that Boeing won its challenge alleging the Air Force was wrong in awarding the $35 billion tanker contract to Northrop Grumman/EADS.    Read More

Boeing was informed today that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found in Boeing’s favor on a number of issues related to its protest of the U.S. Air Force’s award of a $35 billion contract to supply the service with its next-generation aerial refueling aircraft – or KC-X tankers – to begin replacing the current fleet of KC-135 tankers.    Read More

I'm hearing the Government Accountability Office will not decide on the Boeing challenge to the $35 billion tanker contract today. That probably means it WILL happen today (kidding, I think). The decision may come down tomorrow.    Read More

Boeing confirms to CNBC that the Air Force has admitted it got its math wrong on how much Boeing's tanker would cost over the long haul. Boeing says this validates what it's been saying for months in challenging the $35 billion contract award to Northrop Grumman and the European parent of Airbus.   Read More

It's been a year since I started reporting on "the biggest defense contract of 2007," except now it'll be "the biggest defense contract of 2008." Or maybe 2009. The $35 tanker deal has taken more odd turns than a lost UAV, including...   Read More

My post on Lockheed Martin's Chairman and CEO criticizing protectionism and pointing to the Northrop Grumman/EADS tanker award "as reinforcing the openness of U.S. markets," elicited quite a bit of heated email, none of it from Lockheed fans.    Read More

Strike three for Boeing, after losing another huge contract. The deal to provide the Pentagon with up to a dozen next generation satellites—worth $1.4 billion—went to Lockheed Martin.   Read More