Boeing sued over B-1 bomber part

Boeing Co. was sued by the U.S. over claims that the company unlawfully inflated the price it charged the Air Force for missile-decoy systems for the B-1 bomber.

“During contract negotiations, Boeing failed to disclose that it would outsource the fabrication of most of the components of the parts that were to be used in the program,” U.S. Atty. Thomas O’Brien said. “Had the Air Force known the truth, it would have negotiated a substantially lower price.”

The government, in a complaint filed in federal court in Los Angeles, claims that the Air Force paid $7.5 million more than it should have for each of 140 inflated invoices.

Chicago-based Boeing didn’t immediately comment.