Kansas has a special reason for outrage at the U.S. military’s decision to award a $35 billion aircraft deal to a Paris-based company, but this outsourcing plan should be of concern to all Americans.

The U.S. Department of Defense passed over Boeing last week to award a contract to build a fleet of in-flight refueling craft to Europe’s Northrop Grumman/EADS group, a chief Boeing competitor. Boeing had been supplying refueling tankers to the Air Force for nearly 50 years, so the decision came as a significant surprise. Someone needs to disclose why the Northrop Grumman/EADS group won the job: a lower cost, quicker delivery, a better product, political pressure or what?

Members of the Kansas congressional delegation have promised to call the Defense Department to account for the decision, citing not only the adverse economic impact on Kansas, but also national security concerns. The contract was expected to bring 300 to 500 direct jobs to Boeing’s plant in Wichita but could have had a total impact of 3,800 jobs when suppliers were taken into account.

Beyond that, however, turning production of a key piece of U.S. military equipment to a foreign contractor makes many people uneasy. As Sen. Pat Roberts, R-Kan., said, “If this decision holds, it will be at the cost of American jobs and American dollars, if not our national security.”

This is not just a provincial Kansas issue. It is about supporting American business and security, and other members of Congress should join the Kansas delegation in expressing their concern.