AIR56 – Airbus’ Winter Offensive

Still a sensitive topic

The notoriously bitterly contested KC-X competition has left scars amongst customer, bidders and partners alike. There were many lessons derived from, some would argue, a questionable and at time chaotic process that led to the ultimate decision to select the Boeing KC-46A Pegasus.

Airbus and its original partner Northrop Grumman perhaps also tested the limits of globalization of supply sources in the US defense sector. Despite Northrop Grumman’s credentials and the significant US supplier content found on the A330 airframe, the competition kept of referring to the aircraft as French.

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