The European Invasion

摘要

The name "EADS"—for European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.—is not exactly synonymous with "United States Air Force." Just a few years ago, its prospects for selling to USAF many billions of dollars' worth of tankers seemed nil. First, Boeing seemed to have a lock on military aircraft derived from commercial types. Second, EADS' Airbus-based tankers were built in France and Germany—two nations seemingly held in low esteem by the Bush Administration. Third, the EADS entry seemed to be technically unsuited; it didn't even have a boom compatible with US Air Force aircraft.