EADS tanker gets nod from Saudi Arabia
Published 9:37 am Thursday, January 3, 2008
The aerial refueling tanker built by duo Northrop Grumman-EADS scored another win with an order from Saudi Arabia for three of its A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft.
It’s the fourth international order for the tanker, which is based off of Airbus’s commercial A330 jet. European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. serves as the parent company of Airbus. Northrop and EADS have received orders from Australia, Great Britain and United Arab Emirates for the tanker.
“Saudi Arabia’s competitive choice is another validation of the A330 MRTT’ssuperior capabilities as a tanker and a true force multiplier,” said John Young, CEO of EADS North America Tankers, in a press statement. “It demonstrates the competitive strengths of this very capable tanker/transport platform, which is being offered as the KC-30 Tanker by our team leader, Northrop Grumman, for the U.S. Air Force’s tanker fleet recapitalization.”
Northrop-EADS is competing against the Boeing Co. for the $40 billion contract with the U.S. Air Force. Boeing announced today that it has submitted its final proposal to the Air Force. Boeing has pitted its Everett-built KC-767 against the KC-30.
The Air Force met with both competitors late last year to identify weaknesses in the companies’ proposals. The agency has said it will announce a winner by the end of March, at the latest.
