Boeing OK to share tanker contract with Northrop-EADS

A plan to split a lucrative Air Force refueling tanker contract is gaining support from (drum roll) The Boeing Co.

The Associated Pressreports that Boeing’s defense chief Jim Albaugh said the company will support splitting the contract with rival duo Northrop Grumman and EADS if the Pentagon opts for a dual-award.

But Albaugh doesn’t think the Pentagon will go that route, given Defense Secretary Robert Gates’ adamant opposition to divvying up the $35 billion deal.

“We are going to support whatever type of acquisition that our customer wants to put in place,” Albaugh told the AP in a phone interview.

Northrop and EADS officials already have said they would back splitting the contract. Northrop and EADS are offering their larger KC-30, which would be assembled in Alabama. Boeing likely will offer its smaller KC-767, built in Everett.