By Michelle Dunlop
Herald Writer

EVERETT — The Boeing Co.’s tanker will create 10 times as many U.S. jobs as its former competitor’s would have, according to a study paid for by Boeing.

The study, released Wednesday, by consulting firm Sonecon, LLC, was funded by Boeing before its rival, duo Northrop Grumman and EADS, withdrew from a $35 billion contest to supply the Air Force with aerial refueling tankers.

Boeing’s tanker, based on the Everett-built 767 jet, will create 62,606 to 70,706 jobs in the United States over the 20-year life of the contract, according to the study. The job figures in the report refer to direct positions only and do not include jobs created at suppliers or other indirect jobs.

About 12,000 of the jobs will be in Washington state, Boeing reports separately. Boeing also says that 70 suppliers here in the state will work on its KC-767 tanker.

“The great thing about our aerospace industrial base is that it translates into good jobs and long-term employment in Washington state and around the country,” said Sen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., in a statement.

The Northrop and EADS tanker, which would have been based on an Airbus A330 jet, would create only about 7,080 new jobs in this country, according to the study. The parent company of Airbus, EADS planned to have its and Northrop’s tanker assembled in Mobile, Ala. Leaders from European countries have voiced concerns over the fairness of the Air Force’s contest, after Northrop and EADS said the competition was slanted in Boeing’s favor.

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