April 30, 2008 at 9:14 pm
Defence
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DATE:30/04/08
SOURCE:Flightglobal.com
Boeing withdraws Super Hornet from Swiss contract race
By Stephen TrimbleBoeing today announced its decision to drop out of the competition to replace the Swiss Air Force Northrop F-5 Tiger fleet.
Boeing had prepared to bid with the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet, but withdrew after reviewing the contents of the request for proposal.
“After a thorough review of Switzerland’s requirements for partial replacement of its Tiger fighter aircraft, Boeing has decided not to enter the competition due to the disparity between the requirements for an F-5 replacement aircraft and the next-generation capabilities of the F/A-18E/F Block II Super Hornet,” Boeing says in a statement.
Boeing’s action trims Switzerland’s known options for the F-5 replacement contract to three likely bidders: the Saab Gripen, the Dassault Rafale and the Eurofighter Typhoon.
Although abstaining from this competition, Boeing noted that it remains committed to support and modernize the Swiss Air Force’s F-18C/D fleet.