Northrop: Still under Air Force tanker contract

Published 11:55 am Friday, June 20, 2008

As Boeing Co. workers prepare to rally today in Everett, Northrop Grumman noted that it remains under contract to replace the Air Force’s aerial refueling tanker despite Boeing’s recent GAO win.

“We respect the GAO process and are confident the Air Force will appropriately address its recommendations,” said Paul Meyer, Northrop Grumman vice president of Air Mobility Systems and KC-45 program manager, in a press statement. “However, the GAO report does not change the fact that a new fleet of tankers is needed now, and Northrop Grumman is ready now,” said Meyer. “Northrop Grumman remains under contract and remains ready to serve with the most modern, most capable tanker in the world.”

“Any significant delay only punishes the men and women who are forced to fly an aging fleet,” he added.

Boeing’s supporters Sens. Murray and Cantwell will walk the 767 line this afternoon. Yesterday, one of Northrop’s backers in Congress, Alabama Sen. Jeff Sessions, told the Senate that it is critical “that politics not infect the process and that they select the best aircraft for the military.”