Chicago-based Boeing had been supplying refueling tankers to the Air Force for nearly 50 years. Brownback expects the aircraft manufacturer to protest the contract award.

Some important points not to forget:

One of the main companies in the deal is Northrop Grumman, an American Company.

Much if not most of the labor will be done in Alabama.

They are superior planes, for instance they hold more fuel.

And on top of it, the Air Force will pay less to them than to Boeing.

Of course the major down side is it won't be completely in an American Company's hands which is always a perceived problem especially when dealing with Military Contracts.

Of course the major down side is it won't be completely in an American Company's hands which is always a perceived problem especially when dealing with Military Contracts.

Northrop Grumman and its Paris-based partner, European Aeronautic Defense and Space, won the deal.

That would be a major point of contention, of course. I'm not a classified technological information expert, but it seems that those involved in each and every phase of the manufacturing of the planes, would be vetted for top-security status.
The aircrafts' capabilities make us the preeminent
air force in the world.

From what I know, Northrop beat Boeing in 4 out of 5 categories, and tied in the 5th. It wasn't even close.

Besides that, it was an open bid contract. These Senators didn't lament Northrop's inclusion in that process at all, but now that the outcome wasn't what they wanted for their particular state, it's an outrage. And now even the presidential candidates are making an issue out of it to score political points.

I dunno myself I guess. I'm no expert either, and there's more at stake here than jobs and money. But overall, I'll favor competition in open markets...usually saves money and produces superior products, the whole point of bidding contracts.