6 more months makes sense

(Updated 0730 AM PDT with references to EADS North America COO John Young and the “KC-35.”) Giving Boeing six more months to come up with a revised bid is a prudent and reasonable thing to do. Here’s why…. Read More

Italy to penalize Boeing on tanker

Bloomberg just moved this story, reporting the Italy will fine Boeing for its late KC-767 tanker, following penalties assessed by Japan. Update, 1145 AM PDT: We’ve been on the phone with reporters this morning discussing the tanker competition… Read More

US skeptical of CSeries launch aid

There are numerous reports today that the US Trade Representative may look at the proposed launch aid for the Bombardier CSeries airplane. This one does a good recap. The CSeries is proposed to carry 110-149 passengers, which directly… Read More

No bid for Boeing?

Aviation Week reports that Boeing may elect not to re-bid on the KC-X program. The story is here. Update: 0840AM PDT: Boeing told us the Aviation Week piece is “news to us.” Boeing (and Northrop) meet with the… Read More

Airbus takes comfortable lead in YTD orders

Airbus took a comfortable lead in the orders race year-to-date through July 31 following the Farnborough Air Show, in which is announced a combination of new orders and inked a 100 airplane deal with Dubai Aerospace Enterprises that… Read More

The Day After the Draft RFP

There has been some time to digest the Pentagon’s announcement for the re-compete for the aerial tanker program. Predictably, Boeing’s supporters are unhappy. Anything short of a tailor-made RFP guaranteeing a Boeing award won’t make them happy, as… Read More

Pentagon reissues tanker RFP

The Pentagon today re-issued the Request for Proposal for the aerial tanker competition today. As the press conference begins, here is a running synopsis: USAF plan and process as we go forward to have a week or so… Read More

Thursday’s Farnborough impressions

Airbus had its press briefing, rescheduled from Monday, much to the puzzlement and speculation of observers and rivals (or, perhaps, that should be in the singular). The speculation was rife: Airbus’ super-salesman John Leahy had a big order… Read More

Wide-body GTF

Flightblogger reported a few days ago from Farnborough that an unidentified manufacturer has approached Pratt & Whitney inquiring about P&W’s new geared turbo fan engine for a wide body airplane. We had the opportunity to ask the obvious… Read More

Wednesday’s Farnborough impressions

Pretty dull today. A couple of orders. Boeing did dedicated tanker brief, rolling out the successor to Mark McGraw, the previous head of the tanker program. Dave Bowman comes from the C-17 program. Perhaps not surprisingly facing a… Read More