Unless you have been hiding under a rock or completely oblivious to Defense mattters, you know that the GAO overturned the landmark KC-X aerial refueling (tanker) contract that the US Air Force awarded to the Northrup-Grumman/EADS (Airbus) team.
Recap:
The Air Force has needed to replace the KC-135 (based on the original Boeing 707 prototype) for the last 10 years. But the controversy around this contract was thrown into the spotlight right after 9/11 (2001).
Boeing proposed a lease of converted 767′s to the US Air Force at a reduced rate (Boeing would benefit by keeping its 767 production line open, and the Air Force would get needed planes). But the scrutiny of this deal – by none other than Republican Presidential contender, John McCain – killed this deal, and resulted in the resignations/indictments of several Air Force and Boeing officals.
When the Air Force was forced to put the contract out for bid, there was a surprise bidder. EADS (Airbus) in partnership w/ Northrup-Grumman. Initially – no one thought NGA had a chance.
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(from the AP – and found on the SF Chronical web page)
(06-16) 23:22 PDT Colorado Springs, Colo. (AP) –
The Pentagon understated the vulnerability faced by the nation’s air and space defense command before it relocated to Colorado’s Peterson Air Force Base, a newspaper reported Monday.
The North American Aerospace Defense Command moved from its longtime cave-complex home inside Cheyenne Mountain to Peterson in May. On March 3, military leaders reported to Congress that an assessment of a building at the air base that serves as the nation’s homeland security nerve center found “several physical security problems.”
But The Gazette of Colorado Springs said it obtained a classified document that was even more critical. According to the document, the assessment found “the existing security system at Peterson AFB … would fail if attacked by even a low level threat.”
The assessment was contained in a draft report by the Government Accountability Office as part of an ongoing GAO review of the March 3 report to Congress. That report never informed Congress whether security measures could ensure a maximum level of security at Peterson, as required.
The Peterson command center where NORAD started operating on May 28 requires a Protection Level 1, reserved for “those assets whose loss, theft, destruction, misuse or compromise would result in great harm to the strategic capability of the United States,” the Gazette reported.
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OK I have to admit that I have been underwhelmed by the response to this post. This is a one of a kind aircraft and while it isn’t quite a ‘black’ project – the fact that it exists indicates how evolutionary this project is.
The challenge was;
- Whose plane is it?
- What is used for?
- What is the original airframe?
- Where is this plane based?
The answers;
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Good afternoon all 3 of you watching at home. Welcome to Threat Axis. A place for those of us who aren’t on the inside and in the know – to post our comments and rants about the Global Security situation around us.
Hopefully the information presented here will open your mind to what the world is like – outside your own hometown – and show that Threats can come from any direction – or Axis.
I am going to start this blog off with one of my favorites ice-breakers.
- Name that plane.
Here are two pictures of the plane in question (click on each for a slightly larger view);
To participate, please post in a comment the following info;
- Whose plane is it?
- What is used for?
- What is the original airframe?
- Where is this plane based?
First Prize – an honorary ‘Threat Axis’ Gold Star (to be worn on your fatigues when it is time to take over the Banana Republic)
The decision of the judges is final (note – bribery is allowed. A special prize will be awarded for the most creative bribe).
Good Luck!
