It could be a little longer before the Air Force releases the final request for proposals for its aerial refueling tanker.
Based on comments made today by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz, the final requirements may not come out until late February, Politico reports.
The Air Force had said it would release the final RFP in this decade-long saga last November.
Defense contractor Northrop Grumman threatened in early December to drop out of the competition unless significant changes were made, leaving its rival, the Boeing Co., as the sole bidder.
Schwartz told reporters today that Air Force will release the requirements within a month of the 2011 fiscal budget release. That’s scheduled for Feb. 1. Some defense observers say the Air Force could release the tanker RFP by Feb. 12, reports Aviation Week. The Air Force also may drop the fixed price requirement it proposed earlier.
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