Analysts don't give Boeing much chance.
Boeing hopeful on tanker, notes appeals often failWASHINGTON, May 29 (Reuters) - Boeing Co. hopes to win its challenge to a $35 billion U.S. aerial refueling deal that went to Northrop Grumman Corp., but notes such efforts fail more often than not, the chief executive said Thursday.
"We are hoping the GAO (Government Accountability Office) will confirm our view," CEO James McNerney said. "But we recognize that (these) protests are denied more often then they are sustained."
He made his remarks at a webcast conference for investors hosted by Sanford C. Bernstein & Co.
The U.S. Air Force said Feb. 29 it was skipping Boeing in favor of a team made up of Northrop Grumman Corp and Airbus parent EADS (EAD.PA: Quote, Profile, Research) to start a new fleet of tankers for mid-air warplane refueling.
Boeing filed a formal protest to the GAO, saying it believed its modified 767 tanker represented a better value than the larger Airbus A330 derivitive picked by the Air Force.
The Air Force plans to buy tankers in three phases, starting with a batch of 179 aircraft valued at up to $35 billion.
GAO is due to make its recommendations to the Air Force by June 19.
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