Report: Pentagon to alter tanker rules ‘a bit’

Published 2:09 pm Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The Pentagon is set to release its final requirements for a multi-billion dollar aerial refueling tanker competition that pits the Boeing Co. against duo Northrop Grumman and EADS.

“The team is in the process of correcting mistakes … and altering the acquisition strategy a bit,” said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell on Wednesday, according to Reuters.

The final RFP for the Air Force tanker is due out in the next few weeks.

Late last year, Northrop officials said the company may not bid on the tanker contract, which they believe was slanted toward Boeing’s KC-767. Northrop also raised questions about the Air Force’s fixed pricing requirement. Analysts were split on whether Northrop was serious in its threat.

This is the third time the Air Force has tried to replace its KC-135 tanker fleet.

Boeing has said it may offer either its KC-767 or its KC-777 or both. Northrop, working with EADS, will offer its KC-30, based off an Airbus A330 jet.