By Richard Michalski
Almost all aerospace and military experts have attested that the American tanker designed by Boeing is superior by nearly every measure.
Stories of job loss are all-too-frequent in todays newspapers even as the federal government rushes billions in stimulus money in an attempt to save jobs and turn around the economy.
Yet the government may end up sending 44000 U.S. jobs overseas this year alone if French aerospace giant EADS convinces the Pentagon to outsource to France and Europe its $100 billion contract to build tanker refueling aircraft.
Strangely enough EADS tanker aircraft doesnt even meet the Air Forces requirements according to industry experts.
Its inefficient consuming an unnecessary $40 billion in taxpayer funds because of excess fuel and other costs over its lifetime can only land at half the bases compared to the competition and is more vulnerable to enemy fire.
The irony is that EADS tanker aircraft was developed using billions in illegal foreign subsidies that are the basis for the largest ever suit by the U.S. trade representative before the World Trade Organization.
Almost all aerospace and military experts have attested that the American tanker designed by Boeing is superior by nearly every measure.
Does the Pentagon really believe that its sound acquisition policy to outsource its entire industrial base put 44000 Americans out of their jobs and reward a company that violates international trade laws?
RICHARD MICHALSKI is General vice president of the International Association of Machinists.
