WASHINGTON — Congressional investigators have granted Boeing's protest of a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Corp. and Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defense and Space Co.
The Government Accountability Office decision is not binding, but it puts pressure on the Air Force to re-examine the contract and could help Boeing capture part or all of the award. The was confirmed by the offices of Sens. Patty Murray, D-Wash., and Pat Roberts, R-Kan.
The decision also gives ammunition to Boeing supporters in Congress seeking to block funding for the deal or force a new competition.
The contract for 179 aerial refueling tankers is the first of three deals worth up to $100 billion to replace the Air Force's entire tanker fleet.
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