Concerned American
Diamond Member
I think the fact that Airbus is a French company probably had something to do with that. I can't see any other reason why they would partner with Northrup-Grumman. Airbus is capable of performing on their own. NG gave them the US producer.I remember when the Air Force was looking for a new aerial tanker to replace the KC-135. Boeing kinda phoned in a new plane. Airbus partnered with Northrop Grumman and offered a superior product that got the Air Force's attention, and ultimately DoD was going to buy it. Boeing threw a hissy fit, and after years of back and forth and changing requests for proposal that did little but highlight how fucked up the procurement system is, Boeing got the contract.
Maybe NASA should have asked Airbus to build them a rocket.