European plane maker Airbus is teaming up with Lockheed Martin to compete to build the LMXT strategic tanker in Mobile and Marietta, Georgia. If the Pentagon picks Airbus-Lockheed for the job, it will mean major jobs and investments in Mobile. Both companies hope that the Air Force will pick the new tankers to replace its current aging fleet of refueling planes.
“We expect this will be at least 400 new direct jobs associated with the Airbus final assembly line,” said David Rodgers, vice president of economic development at the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce. “That will be a new final assembly line being constructed and we expect this to be an over $450 million investment of Airbus in the community.”
Mobile and Airbus apparently won this contract back in 2008, but the Pentagon changed its mind in favor of giving the job to Boeing. The current contract talks appear to be setting the stage for a showdown between the three aerospace companies. Rodgers appears to welcome the fight.
“We wanted another shot at this contract. Our community backed Airbus and really backed that contract the first time and we’re going to back it again,” Rodgers said.
Airbus and Lockheed Martin are teaming up for this bid for the new Air Force refueling tanker. The new aircraft would be based on an A320 aircraft built in Mobile.
