(AFP) U.S. lawmakers blast defense department: Lawmakers have reacted angrily after the U.S. military awarded a $35 billion aircraft deal to Europe’s Northrop Grumman/EADS group, in a major blow to U.S. manufacturer Boeing. “It’s stunning to me that we would outsource the production of these airplanes to Europe instead of building them in America,” said Republican Sen. Sam Brownback about the Pentagon’s decision. “I’ll be calling upon the secretary of defense for a full debriefing and expect there will be a protest of the award by Boeing.” The U.S. Defense Department announced Friday that it was awarding the deal for a fleet of in-flight refueling craft to the Northrop Grumman/EADS team, in a huge coup for Boeing’s main rival, Airbus. The surprise choice of EADS marks the European group’s entry into the lucrative U.S. defense market, where so far it had had only a marginal presence. Boeing voiced strong disappointment after the contract slipped through its hands and said it would ask for an explanation. “Once we have reviewed the details behind the award, we will make a decision concerning our possible options,” said Boeing spokesman William Barksdale, hinting at a possible protest. While European political and industry leaders have hailed the decision, many Republicans have been left seething. “We should have an American tanker built by an American company with American workers,” said Republican Rep. Todd Tiahrt, of Wichita. “I cannot believe we would create French jobs in place of Kansas jobs.” Boeing, the second-leading U.S. defense contractor after Lockheed Martin, had been considered the heavy favorite for the contract. According to its Web site, Boeing is the largest employer in Kansas. The contract for the newly named tanker, the KC-45, is one of the largest Pentagon contracts in recent years and the first order on a tanker market valued at more than $100 billion in more than 30 years.