Airbus Using Northrop Grumman To "Americanize" Air Force Tanker Bid

[idlisambar]

WASHINGTON - The disclosure last week of negotiations between Northrop GrummanCo. and the European parent company of Airbus, hoping to compete with Boeing for a multibillion-dollar tanker contract from the Air Force, is causing a stirfrom Capitol Hill to Jefferson City.

Some members of Congress say the foreign firm is seeking access to the U.S.defense industry under false pretenses, hoping to position itself to win thelucrative refueling-tanker contract and eventually drive American contractors out of the aircraft-building industry.

"They want us to think they're an American company, so they can get contractsfor U.S. military planes," said Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash. "I'll tell you what- not on my watch."


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