HeraldNet: Air Force holds 'Name the Tanker' contest



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Aerospace Blog

May 20, 2008

Northrop Grumman (click to enlarge)

The Air Force selected Northrop and EADS's KC-30 for a $35 billion contract. The Air Force is hosting a "Name the Tanker" contest even though its decision has been protested by Boeing.

Air Force holds 'Name the Tanker' contest

Posted at 11:02 am by Michelle Dunlop

The Air Force took its time in naming the winner of a $35 billion tanker contest in February, delaying the announcement several times. But the Air Force isn’t wasting time in selecting a name for its new aerial refueling tanker – despite the fact that its award has been protested by losing bidder the Boeing Co.

Last week, the Air Force kicked off its “Name the Tanker” competition, asking Airmen to submit original names for the tanker proposed by Northrop Grumman and EADS.

During the contract bid, Northrop and EADS referred to their tanker as the KC-30, considering their tanker is based on an Airbus A330 commercial jet. EADS is the parent company of Airbus. The Air Force already refers to its new tanker – be it Northrop and EADS’ or Boeing’s – as the KC-45.

Boeing has protested the Air Force’s decision to give the contract to Northrop and EADS. And the Government Accountability Office has until June 19 to review the case.

That makes the Air Force’s timing a little odd. The contest concludes May 30, still well before the GAO is expected to rule.

I initially heard about the Air Force’s contest from this entry on the Tanker War Blog site. The blog is holding its own contest for naming the tanker. From the comment section, some entries included: flying frog and Scarebus. “Flying Death Trap” was ruled out by the blog’s moderator.

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