After a 10-year effort, the U.S. Air Force named Chicago-based Boeing Co. the “clear winner” of a $35 billion contract with to replace its fleet of ‘50s-era airborne refueling tankers. The news was cheered by politicians in Washington state and Kansas, which will score the majority of tens of thousands of new jobs. Analysts had expected the massive contract to be awarded to European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co., which planned to set up shop in an old Mobil, Alabama military base. But Wired’s Danger Room blog noted Boeing out lobbied EADS, spending $17.8 million to EADS’ $3.2 million. EADS has 10 days to decide whether to appeal the decision.
