US defence secretary Donald Rumsfeld has ordered a new inquiry into the reasons behind the US Air Force's original decision in late 2001 to lease 100 Boeing KC-767 tankers.
The Defense Science Board (DSB) review is aimed at challenging the air force's fundamental case for leasing the aircraft. Rumsfeld's Office of Inspector General, by contrast, is looking into an ethical breach involving Boeing's improper hiring of a former air force acquisition official tied to the lease negotiations in 2002, and is expected to report findings soon.
The DSB inquiry may shed light on a particularly crucial issue for Senator John McCain, who criticised air force leaders for deciding in early 2002 to move forward on a KC-767 lease proposal before conducting a formal analysis of alternatives. The air force had dismissed options that included upgrading the air force's current Boeing KC-135Es or waiting until 2005 to hold a competitive procurement between the Boeing KC-767 and Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport.
The DSB is an advisory panel of 40 civilians who respond to taskings by the secretary of defence Samuel Adcock, a government relations executive for EADS North America, serves on the board.
Source: Flight International
