European Company Claims "Substantial Savings" In Operating Costs Over Boeing Tanker

EADS North America has submitted its response to the U.S. Air Force's request for final proposal revisions in the KC-X aerial refueling tanker competition. EADS North America is offering the KC-45, which is flying now and certified. EADS NA says the KC-45 will be built in the United States by 48,000 American workers.

EADS MRTT Tanker File Photo

"Our fighting men and women deserve the most modern, capable and proven tanker in the world, and American workers deserve the jobs that the KC-45 will create here at home," said Ralph D. Crosby Jr., EADS North America Chairman. "We're proud to compete on the merits of our tanker offering and support the warfighter's right to choose the aircraft they will go to war in."

EADS MRTT Tanker File Photo

EADS North America says the KC-45 will provide the Air Force substantial savings in operating costs compared to the aircraft proposed by Boeing. Crosby said in a news release Thursday that by his company's calculations, in operational scenarios, Boeing's tanker would cost 15% to 44% more, measured on the basis of cost per gallon of fuel delivered.

File Photo

EADS says that all of the KC-45's refueling systems have been proven in flight, with more than a thousand aerial refueling contacts and over 1.5 million pounds of fuel transferred to a wide range of receiver aircraft.

FMI: www.airbus.com