[timbo]

Originally Posted by Rush104

It's not the first aircraft our military has purchased from another country. The Canberra and Hawk trainer come to mind. Of course, those designs were modified to suit our needs and built here in the U.S.

As will the KC-45.

And also letrs not forget the AV-8a harrier, which has now become a majority Boeing product in the AV-8b with BAe as the junior partner.

[Tundra04]

Originally Posted by Lakota Mech

There sure seems to be a turn around from U.S. manufacturers.With the new presidental helicopter not being a Sikorsky. The Air Forces CSAR-X being protested for choosing the CH-47F. Now the Air Force Tanker. Even the UH-72A Lakota is a Eurocopter EC-145/BK-117-C-2. Not looking very good for the home team. Most of these new aircraft are being built in the South where the wages are tipically low. I guess the U.S. military has bought into globlization.

Wages may have had something to do with it, but not as much as you think. Take Mercedes for example: Ever since they have been here, the employees have refused to unionize. In return, Mercedes pays great and the benefits aren't to shabby either. I wonder if the same will happen with this deal?? Full Disclosure: I do not work for either entity, just an observer.