Jo Bonner (R-AL), a member of the powerful US House Appropriations defense subcommittee, is pressing the Pentagon to provide assurances that Boeing will be required to deliver a new fleet of aerial refuelling aircraft for the low price that knocked EADS North America from the US$35 billion competition, denying hundreds of potential new jobs for Bonner’s Alabama district.
During a March 2 hearing, Bonner asked Defense Secretary, Robert Gates for specifics not yet made public on exactly what the Air Force will procure through the new KC-46A program as well as what, if any, steps will be in place to prevent Boeing from effectively increasing the cost of the program at a later date.
“Historically, contractors in development programs such as this have run into major program delays and cost overruns that force the military to buy fewer models or even cancel a program,” Bonner said.
The Alabama lawmaker noted Air Force Chief of Staff General Norman Schwartz’s recent admonition to defense contractors that he has “no patience for exaggerated sales pitches” and warning them not to “blow smoke up my ass” about what a platform can do and when it will be ready.
“Mr. Secretary, what assurance can you give Congress that adding cost in an uncompetitive environment via change orders will be strictly forbidden?” Bonner asked.
EADS North America has also confirmed that they will not protest the decision.