The North Dakota Congressional delegation doesn’t intend to let up in its drive to secure some of the Air Force’s new tanker aircraft, meeting again this week with key Air Force leaders. Sen. Kent Conrad (D) said the meetings “confirmed the Air Force’s desire to expand [the base’s] responsibility,” including exciting opportunities presented by the new [unmanned aerial vehicle] mission and the new tanker mission.” (The Air Force hasn’t yet publicly declared that Grand Forks will get the new tanker, but Conrad earlier said he had promises.) Sen. Byron Dorgan (D) also expressed confidence that the new UAV mission would secure a future for the base and claimed it had a “good shot” at getting tankers.
Sticker Shock Drags Out USAF’s E-7 Negotiations with Boeing
April 18, 2024
While a deal on the E-7 Wedgetail airborne battle management jet may come soon, negotiations are stuck on the high price Boeing is asking for the development jets, Air Force Secretary Frank Kendall said recently.