Ford, General Motors, Boeing, McDonalds, Starbucks, Microsoft, Intel, IBM, Apple, AOL Time Warner, Exxon Mobil, Kodak, Pfizer, GlaxoSmithKline, Hilton... all American companies that market and sell their products all over the world on a massive scale. If everyone was trying to keep American companies and products out how is it these brands have become instantly recognised around the globe?Now name me the same number of non-American companies that have such a market presence in America, or indeed the world.

Except that the tanker is a major strategic and tactical weapon system. Not exactly a subcompact car, hamburger or cup of coffee. There are implications to the national defense of our country and our ability to project power in our interest. Ask the French why don't they just cancel the white elephant known as the A400M and just buy ready to go C-130Js and they will give you the same answer. They see that project as part of their self identity as an independent power that wants the ability to affect world events. A country that sees itself as an independent power would be foolish to place such a vital strategic and logistic link in the hands of a foreign power. What if France disagrees with something the US is doing in the Middle East or the US disagrees with something France is doing in Africa? Will France be able to withold certain spares and ground our fleet of Airbus tankers?It's too bad that Boeing is the only major aircraft manufacturer left in the US that would be capable of building a tanker. But that's just the landscape that our country allowed to develop. And we're doing more of it, as we will probably be down to only one company capable of building fighter aircraft as well. To force a "competition" by bringing in a foreign provider for a strategic system is foolish. Foolish for wasting Airbus' time on it. And even more foolish to buy a foreign system for this defense requirement.

Hello,

What if France disagrees with something the US is doing in the Middle East or the US disagrees with something France is doing in Africa? Will France be able to withold certain spares and ground our fleet of Airbus tankers?

A little related:Well .. seem's France is not so preoccupied by such problems.That's what I readed (a reader comment) in a french online newspaper:

the France no longer manufactures ammunition including 5.56 caliber ammunition bound for FAMAS and minimi (Belgium) but the important Arab states united with brass bushings instead of copper causing accidents imagine that we enter into conflict with these emirates, they offer up our ammunition? means of communication and monitoring of our Navy and our Air Force are interoperable with those of the USA but one way, they have access to ours, we have access to theirs with their permission Soon the infantry will be no more equipped with a French gun, there is talk of abandoning the famas (popularly known trumpet) with an assault rifle from outside to replace the light machine gun AN-F1, a tender was launched and the next 7.62 caliber machine gun fitted to the VAB and VBL will no longer be French, nor is the French heavy machine gun in 12.7 Soon our army will be more French than cannon fodder

Regards.Gus.

It's too bad that Boeing is the only major aircraft manufacturer left in the US that would be capable of building a tanker. But that's just the landscape that our country allowed to develop. And we're doing more of it, as we will probably be down to only one company capable of building fighter aircraft as well.

Nicely said Kevin. Ah, don't you love excessive economic globalization?

Looks like Boeing is playing hardball this time! Offering not only the KC-767 but also a KC-777! They call the combo KC-7A7!http://www.unitedstatestanker.com/

You can't go to war with the people making your gear....As for Airbus, this picture explains my beliefs on them...

Hello,

As for Airbus, this picture explains my beliefs on them...

If only one day .. they can make one able to surface again .. they will have all the market contracts they want :)Regards.Gus.

You can't go to war with the people making your gear....As for Airbus, this picture explains my beliefs on them...

Let's forget that 228 people died and have our witty little jokes.

Let's forget that 228 people died and have our witty little jokes.

True, it is tragic, however the point I'm trying to make is more of do we really want Airbus making our military gear after this little incident spree....

True, it is tragic, however the point I'm trying to make is more of do we really want Airbus making our military gear after this little incident spree....

I don't think the accidents are what worries me. It is a foreign supplier that is in control of a very important military piece.

I don't think the accidents are what worries me. It is a foreign supplier that is in control of a very important military piece.

that's the other big thing that worries me too....

Is there a web site where that lists the stats on both the Boeing and Northorp/EADS plans. A side by side comparison?

True, it is tragic, however the point I'm trying to make is more of do we really want Airbus making our military gear after this little incident spree....

Some facts:Boeing 767Aircraft in service......864FatalitiesLauda Air Flight 004.....223EgyptAir Flight 990......217Air China Flight 129.....128Total....................568Airbus A330Aircraft in service......633FatalitiesTest flight Toulouse.......7Air France Flight 447....228Total....................235 Which little incident spree?

Some facts:Boeing 767Aircraft in service......864FatalitiesLauda Air Flight 004.....223EgyptAir Flight 990......217Air China Flight 129.....128Total....................568Airbus A330Aircraft in service......633FatalitiesTest flight Toulouse.......7Air France Flight 447....228Total....................235 Which little incident spree?

6/30/09 Air France A330 crash. Loss of speed data is a suspected contributing cause.6/23/09 Northwest A330 lost all speed and altitude indications after encountering moderate rain.5/21/09 Tam A330 lost all speed and altitude indications after encountering abrupt change in OAT.If you are going to include Egypt 990 as an "accident" you might as well include the 767s that crashed into the twin towers as well. Air China 129 was due to CFIT during a circle to land. The only one you've listed up there that is relevant to the discussion is the Lauda crash from a mechanical problem due to thrust reverse failure in flight.

6/30/09 Air France A330 crash. Loss of speed data is a suspected contributing cause.6/23/09 Northwest A330 lost all speed and altitude indications after encountering moderate rain.5/21/09 Tam A330 lost all speed and altitude indications after encountering abrupt change in OAT.If you are going to include Egypt 990 as an "accident" you might as well include the 767s that crashed into the twin towers as well. Air China 129 was due to CFIT during a circle to land. The only one you've listed up there that is relevant to the discussion is the Lauda crash from a mechanical problem due to thrust reverse failure in flight.

I was careful to exclude hi-jackings and the twin Towers for obvious reasons.Let's ignore the accident at Toulouse then for the A330 because the aircraft crashed during a flight test in which the crew was simulating an engine failure on takeoff caused by pilot error, misunderstanding of systems Even if only the Lauda Air Flight 004 is included for the B767, each type has had one fatal accident involving passengers - the same number for both types.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09/25/business...mp;ref=businessRoger

The computer components on which I write this post were made in: India, China, Japan and Malaysia. My Microsoft keyboard was made in China. My monitor was made in China. The Cisco router that connects my network to the Internet was made in the Philippines. The wires that connect my Router to my cable modem were made in Hong Kong, where incidentally, my my cable modem was also made. It's cold today, so I wore a nice cotton Jos. A. Banks turtle neck made in Jordan. My Kenneth Cole Shoes were made in Italy. My Banana Republic slacks were made in Mexico. My belt, in Ecuador. My socks, in Belize. My Prada sunglasses, in Italy.Drove to the train station in my Mercedes S55 made in Germany (not the Germans fault that Americans can't make cars - they get a pass), gas from Saudi Arabia (or Iran, Venezuela, Iraq, etc.) and rode in a shiny double decker train car made in Japan.Fine.Now it comes time to buy a tanker to refuel the most powerful military in the world...and we want to do this in an European made Airbus? REALLY? Well heck, why not...the AMERICAN FLAGS flying over our American bases all over the world are made in China anyway. Why not replace that aging silly Boeing Air Force One thingy with a nice shiny new A380 and make the Queen of England the official leader of the United States too.Unemployment in the United States is at 10 PERCENT....why are we evening HAVING this conversation!!!!