Boeing Chief Executive James McNerney said he is worried that European defense giant EADS will enjoy an advantage in the upcoming tanker competition because of its exemptions from US laws on export controls. Speaking with The Seattle Times, McNerney said that the problem with the tanker competition is not the oft-cited subsidies EADS gets from European nations, but rather the export controls and business transparency regulations that have a major impact Boeing but not on the Europeans. “The only think that we ask for is that we play by the same rules,” McNerney said.
The Air Force is planning to retain some F-15C/D Eagles, among its oldest fighters, to perform the homeland defense mission at least four more years, the service revealed in a “Long-Term Fighter Force Structure” report submitted to lawmakers earlier this year.
