From the moment the US air force announced the decision to award a $35bn contract to supply aircraft-refuelling tankers to Europe’s EADS and its US partner Northrop Grumman, there were outcries from members of Congress whose parochial interests lie with the rival offering from Boeing.

The contract is the largest acquisition programme in the history of the air force. To have expected controversy not to follow, regardless of the winner, would have been foolish. What is unfortunate in the controversy is that the uproar is based upon mendacity, rather than logic and reason.