Leeham News and Analysis
There's more to real news than a news release.
Leeham News and Analysis
- Hopes for 1Q financial progress turns into bumpy ride for Boeing April 21, 2025
- Bjorn’s Corner: Air Transport’s route to 2050. Part 18. April 18, 2025
- Natilus: Composite BWB, entry-into-service by 2029, 570 on order April 17, 2025
- China bans Boeing, US parts imports in tariff war April 15, 2025
- Boeing welcomes COMAC competition as Asia-Pacific demand soars April 15, 2025
Tanker, 787, 747
Last week was quite active in aerospace and so were we, unable to post. So here’s a recap of some of the things that occurred and our thoughts. More politics and the Tanker For the past two years… Read More
Tanker Contract: Follow the law
Update, Feb. 1: The newspaper The Hill, which covers Capitol Hill, reports the USAF plans to award a contract for the KC-X this summer, sticking (more or less) to the timetable originally projected. Secretary Robert Gates also plans… Read More
Outlook for Airbus, Boeing in 2010
Introduction 2009 has faded into history and 2010 is here. Last year wasn’t kind to Airbus or Boeing—though it was worse for the latter than the former. How will this year be? We’ll get right into how we… Read More
USAF used criteria GAO rejected in new DRFP: KC-30 backers
Update, December 8: Bill Barksdale, Boeing KC-7A7 spokesman, emailed us with a response to this column. We have posted his note in the Comments section below. Original Post: The USAF used criteria in the current Draft RFP for… Read More
KC-30 MRTT refuels fighters through boom, drogues
EADS released these photos of the KC-30 MRTT refueling fighters. The company previously released photos of refueling as viewed through the 3D controller’s panel video screen. The MRTT has now “passed gas” (as we like to say, much… Read More
In other news: Northrop hints at exiting KC-X competition
We were waiting for this: see this story.
Boeing “leaning” toward KC-767
Boeing is “leaning” toward offering the KC-767 to the US Air Force in the KC-X competition, an executive revealed at a conference in Everett (WA) today. Boeing previously has been coy about whether it will offer the KC-767,… Read More
Northrop wins tanker contract
Update, 9:30 am: We’ve added more information below the jump. Northrop Grumman won a big KC-10 tanker maintenance contract from the Air Force this week, taking it away from Boeing, which has had it for 10 years. The… Read More
KC-X tanker DRFP released
Update, September 28: DOD Buzz reports Boeing is going to offer two bids, one each for the KC-767 and KC-777. Here is the link. We think this is a brilliant move. Original Post: Here is the link to… Read More
Refueling Dr. Strangelove
The Draft Request for Proposal for Round 3 of the KC-X tanker competition isn’t even out yet and the procurement process is already perverted. The DRFP is thought to be ready for release tomorrow (September 24). The USAF… Read More