By Associated Press
Washington, D.C. – Officials in Mobile are disappointed with a ruling by congressional investigators upholding Boeing's protest of a $35 billion Air Force tanker contract awarded to Northrop Grumman Corp. and Airbus parent European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.
The tanker would have been assembled at Mobile's Brookley Industrial Complex.
The Government Accountability Office says it found ``a number of significant errors'' that might have affected the competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman.'' The GAO recommends that the Air Force hold a new competition.
Alabama Gov. Bob Riley says it's important to note that the GAO did not make a judgment on the aircraft put forward by either company but on the process.
Riley says state officials continue to believe Northrop-Grumman's tanker is the superior product for U.S. warfighters. He says he's still confident the Northrop-Grumman tanker will win again.
Mobile County Commission President Steve Nodine says Mobile officials will continue fighting for the tanker contract.
While the GAO decision is not binding, it puts tremendous pressure on the Air Force to reopen the contract and could pave the way for Boeing to capture part or all of the award.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)