Pentagon Accepts Flawed Boeing Tankers for Air Force
The Pentagon has decided to let the Air Force accept its first delivery of Boeing Co. aerial refueling tankers despite unresolved deficiencies in the long-delayed plane, according to an official familiar with the decision.
The first of 179 planned KC-46A aerial tankers will be accepted this month -- more than two years late -- according to the official, who asked not to be identified ahead of the the Air Force’s formal announcement expected on Thursday. Boeing shares rose in pre-market trading.
The tanker’s flight-testing program has been beset by technical issues for what was once envisioned as a low-risk development project. The plane is already far behind schedule: The first KC-46 was originally expected to be delivered between April and June 2016.
Former Defense Secretary Jim Mattis had given the project special scrutiny. The ex-Pentagon chief, who resigned last month, sent a sticky note to his chief of staff in November 2017 saying that he’s “unwilling” to accept deficient planes.
Mattis has since been replaced on an acting basis by his deputy, Patrick Shanahan, a former Boeing executive ...
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-10/pentagon-is-said-to-accept-flawed-boeing-tankers-for-air-force
= new reply since forum marked as read
Mattis leaves and Boeing's former executive gets the job...and in no time the USAF is excepting flawed refuelers!!!
This is great for Boeing, but it won't be so good for the US military!!!
