EADS to talk about Air Force tanker this morning

Published 7:33 am Friday, March 4, 2011

EADS will host a press conference this morning to talk about the Air Force tanker contest.

The defense contractor is expected to concede the Boeing Co.’s win of the $30 billion tanker deal, according to a report yesterday.

Last week, the Air Force declared Boeing the “clear winner” of its contest to supply 179 aerial refueling tankers.

Boeing is offering the Air Force a tanker based on its Everett-built 767 jet. EADS, the parent company of Airbus, proposed its A330-based tanker, which would be built in Mobile, Ala.

EADS has until next week to decide whether it will launch a protest with the Government Accountability Office.

The press conference is at 9 a.m., PST.