MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Boeing lobbies F-18 Super Hornet contract with flight simulator in Brazilian congress

The flight simulator of the F-18 could open the way to a 9 billion dollars contract

Boeing Co. promised a full transfer of technology to Brazil if the US-based company wins a 9 billion dollars fighter-jet bid. The president of Boeing Military Aircraft told the Brazilian Senate defense committee that Brazil would be able to fully produce the F-18 Super Hornet if it purchases the planes from Boeing.

Christopher Chadwick said Thursday that President Barack Obama had already made the guarantees to Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff.

The technology transfer is a key issue for Brazil, which also is analyzing bids from Sweden's Saab AB and France's Dassault. Saab AB is offering the Gripen NG fighter jet, while Dassault has the Rafale jet.

The Brazilian Air Force gave its technical support to the Swedish offer while the French proposition has the political preference of former president Lula da Silva and ex-Defense minister Nelson Jobim.

The purchase of the 36 aircraft was recently delayed because of budget cuts.

At the beginning of the year President Dilma Rousseff told Senator John McCain that the US proposal would be considered if there was an explicit statement from the US Congress that there would be no veto to technology transfer once the contract has been signed.

The Brazilian Ministry of Defense is awaiting a copy of the letter with such a statement.
As part of the lobbying effort Boeing was authorized by the Brazilian congress to mount a Super Hornet F/A-18 flight simulator in the entrance hall to the Legislative.

Boeing also informed that it is ready and willing to answer any question or doubts about its offer of the Super Hornet.

“Besides helping Brazil to attain air power and domain, Boeing could still become a strategic associate in several areas”, said Joe McAndres Boeing Vice president for International business development.

The Lower House said it had allowed the simulator exhibition on request from the Senate that this month will hold hearings with the three companies. The Senate confirmed the authorization since the US Corporation was the only one to formally make such a request.

The flight simulator which has been set up at the hall traditionally used for exhibitions is open to the public and members of congress who can experience the feeling of flying a super fighter bomber, air combat, bombing land and sea targets and operating some of the most sophisticated avionics.