Who Will Be Bidding Is Still Unclear

The Air Force says it will release the final RFP for the KC-X tanker competition "not earlier than" February 23rd. The date was in a pre-solititation notice released Monday.

A330 Tanker

The RFP was delayed when Northrop Grumman President and CEO Wes Bush sent a letter threatening to drop out of the competition unless changes were made to the RFP draft. Northorp Grumman is partnering with EADS to offer a tanker based on the Airbus A330. Northrop Grumman said the way the RFP is written favors Boeing's smaller, less expensive B767-based tanker.

Defense News reports that both companies have expressed concern about the fixed-price nature of the contract, which spans several decades.

The Pentagon delayed the RFP after receiving the letter from Bush to look into the issues brought up by both Boeing and Northrup Grumman.

B767 Tanker

The Pentagon and the Air Force say they have no plans to significantly change the RFP before its release. Defense secretary Robert Gates says the RFP will move forward whether or not Northrop Grumman and EADS decide to participate.

FMI: www.dod.mil