Murtha and Gates weigh in on Northrop’s tanker threat

Published 12:46 pm Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Northrop Grumman’s warning that it won’t compete for the Air Force’s tanker contract continues to generate buzz this morning.

Defense Secretary Robert Gates said he hopes Northrop will remain in the $35 billion contest with the Boeing Co. to replace the Air Force’s fleet of 179 KC-135 tankers, reports Reuters.

U.S. Rep. John Murtha, who chairs the House defense appropriations committee, told reporters that “there must be competition” for the tanker contract, according to DoDBuzz.

Murtha’s comments throw cold water on any hopes that the Pentagon might just hand Boeing the contract by default.

UPDATE: Gates’ comments are captured on the You Tube video below, which also is posted on Northrop’s tanker Web site.