Pentagon Reopens $35 billion KC-X Tanker Contest

Posted on: Aug. 6th, 2008 || Source: Reuters | E-mail Article | Print Article

Today, the Pentagon reopened the $35 billion KC-X tanker competition between Boeing and Northrop Grumman/EADS.

According to Reuters, 98 pages of amendments and clarifications were added to the original request for proposals. Most importantly, more credit will be given to the aircraft with the highest fuel offload capability, beyond the required amount. This change would favor the larger A330-derived KC-30 Northrop Grumman/EADS is offering.

Northrop Grumman statement follows:

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Aug. 6, 2008 - The following is a statement of Randy Belote, Northrop Grumman Vice President, Corporate & International Communications, concerning today's release of a draft Request For Proposals for the next generation of aerial refueling tankers.

"Northrop Grumman applauds the Defense Department for recognizing the urgency of replacing the Eisenhower-era refueling tankers via a thorough yet speedy revised acquisition process. We are reviewing the draft RFP with an eye toward ensuring that it addresses the issues raised by the GAO in a way that facilitates a fair and non-political evaluation of the competing bids. It is vital that this effort leads to the selection of the aerial refueling tanker that provides the most capability to our men and women in uniform at the best value to the American taxpayer.

"We intend to provide the Department of Defense our comments on the draft in short order."


(A statement by Boeing was not yet available at the time of writing)
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