Inouye keeps split tanker buy option

The chairman of the Appropriations Committee hasn’t ruled out directing the Pentagon to buy tankers from both Boeing and Northrop Grumman. Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said he’s received industry reports suggesting a split contract would achieve savings of as much as $42 billion when buying at least 360 aircraft over 30 years. He says he can’t ignore that. (Source: Bloomberg via Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 06/08/09) Gulf Coast note: Boeing plans to build the planes in Washington State and Northrop and partner EADS want to build them in Mobile, Ala.