GAO Spoils Northrop¿s Party

The invitations were sent. The RSVPs were due Friday.

But like a June wedding canceled by cold feet, Northrop Grumman and the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co.’s June 28 groundbreaking for a new production facility are on hold for now.

It’s all because the Government Accountability Office upheld rival Boeing’s protest yesterday, recommending that the Air Force take another look at how it chose Northrop over Boeing to build a fleet of new aerial refueling tankers.

The Air Force has 60 days to think things through. Until then, Northrop and its supporters will wait.

“It’s safe to say we’re in a holding pattern,” said Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.), who represents the Mobile district where the production facility is planned. “I fly every week. I’m used to holding patterns.”