22 retired generals… or 22 Northrop/EADS consultants and employees? A full-page ad that appeared in the Washington Post on Tuesday, April 1, in support of the Northrop/EADS tanker and signed by 22 retired Air Force generals failed to disclose the fact that all 22 are currently paid consultants or employees of Northrop Grumman or EADS. Indeed, Northrop admitted separately after publication of the ad that the generals “are proudly associated either with Northrop Grumman or EADS.” Later in the day, the Washington Post acknowledged that they had erred by not insisting that Northrop clearly identify the letter as a paid advertisement from the company.
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Comments (8)
I wish I could pretend that this is somehow different to Boeings paid lobbysts. But It is not.
The USAF should have banned both Boeing & NG/EADS from making any public comments/blogs/campaigns until after the GAO makes a decision. Why is all this money being pumped into mational media to make claims and then counter claims, if in theory it will make no difference to the outcome?
Boeing wouldnt happen to be stirring up negative public sentiment towards the KC-30 in anticipation of the second authoritive rejection of the KC-767 proposal, would it?
WILL BOEING ABIDE BY THE GAO DECISION OR NOT???
Posted on April 2, 2008 14:03
Not that this comment will make the grade since I doubt you are truly interested in discussion but merely furthering your contention that Boeing was treated unfairly because it lost the contract, but maybe Northrop was smarter to hire 22 retired generals and not one unretired USAF purchasing officer, Darleen Druyun.
I would also guess that Boeing has at least this many general officers(retired) on its payroll, though they may not be penning any letters to the press.
Just a suspicion but after being the only non-military retiree when I worked at a group in Raytheon I would be highly suspect if you said this was untrue.
Posted on April 2, 2008 18:37
Well said (RC Santa Clara,CA): Too bad Boeing would not put this on the Blogs front page.
Posted on April 3, 2008 10:28
Could you please post a link to the Northrop advert for those whom have not seen it.
Regards.
Posted on April 3, 2008 13:43
I am sure that Boeing has several retired generals and colonels and majors etc.....However, Boeing unlike NG does not file complaints everytime they lose a contract....It is only due to the obvious misdirection and constant changes in the bid rules AND interpretation of the origianal RFP that Boeing that Boeing RIGHTFULLY objects...
Boeing has filled their claim and will allow the GAO to look at the RFP and ultimately at what the USAF actually selected...Two totally differant aircraft descriptions.
NG and EADS are concerned that the crotest does have merit so they are trying everything possible to keep it from affecting the flawed selection...
Boeing does not need to have there employee (retired generals) pleading. Common sense will prevail and the RFP will be resubmitted when the GAO tells the USAF to state what EXACTLY they want ...a med tanker or a large tanker transport.
Again they asked for a pick-up truck and selected a Semi-truck.
Posted on April 3, 2008 17:20
I just wondered if anybody has checked to see if the KC-30 meets the Military reqmts. for unsymmetric tail loads that are more stringent than FAA (or JAA) reqmts. Maybe there are other specs that haven't been met.
Posted on April 8, 2008 12:34
Now that the latest news about the 787 being pushed
out again,we should let Northrop/Grumman proceed
with their commitment.
Mant people are overlooking the fact that the
southern coastal cities need this work to help the
economy in that area.
If the contract goes down their there will be
a housing boom,the new employess need to eat,get
insurance, etc.
Give this new contract a chance.
Posted on April 9, 2008 07:48
If this tanker is for the United States of America
It only makes sence to use a AMERICAN company to make it
Posted on April 28, 2008 18:51
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