EVERETT – With a lucrative deal on the line with the U.S. Air Force, the leading contenders for an aerial tanker contract have taken vastly different public relations strategies in recent weeks.
At any time, the Air Force is expected to release the final requirements for supplying the agency with refueling tankers in a multibillion-dollar deal. The Air Force pushed back the release, initially scheduled for mid-December.
In the meantime, both the Boeing Co. and rival consortium Northrop Grumman and European Aeronautic Defence and Space Co. have found ways to get the Air Force’s attention.
On Tuesday, a Boeing KC-767 tanker successfully used fifth-generation refueling equipment during test runs for the Italian Air Force. Boeing’s tanker tested out its new boom – a telescoping tube that will transfer fuel to military aircraft – while performing a series of “dry” transfers with a B-52 bomber, the company announced Wednesday. The new boom can convey up to 900 gallons of fuel per minute.
Depending on the U.S. Air Force’s final specifications, Boeing may offer either its KC-767 or a tanker based on its 777 jet.
Earlier this month, Boeing’s competitor, Northrop Grumman, also got the Air Force’s attention when the company threatened to withdraw from the bidding process depending on the wording of the final specifications. In a letter, Northrop officials voiced concern that the Air Force’s bidding process already favored Boeing.
Northrop’s partner for the tanker bid, EADS, also is the parent company for Airbus, Boeing’s major rival for commercial airplane business. Last week, EADS gave Airbus the OK to launch its A330-200 Freighter, the plane most similar to the tanker EADS and Northrop will offer the U.S. Air Force.
Airbus already has received orders and commitments for more than 20 of its freighters.
Boeing has sold eight of its KC-767 tankers to foreign militaries – four each to Italy and Japan. Tanker program spokesman Bill Barksdale has maintained that Boeing is on schedule to deliver its first KC-767 tanker to Japan next month.
Boeing has a few more steps lined up for its KC-767 tanker, including performing another series of dry runs and refueling different aircraft besides the B-52, said Mark McGraw, vice president of Boeing’s tanker program.
“Not only will these milestones help us provide KC-767 tankers to Italy and Japan, they will help Boeing deliver a proven boom and aerial refueling capability to the U.S. Air Force for their KC-X Tanker,” McGraw said in a press release.
Industry analysts say McGraw has reason to be confident. Many, such as local analyst Scott Hamilton, believe the Air Force deal is Boeing’s to lose.
The Air Force, however, has taken steps to include Northrop-EADS in the bidding process, striking World Trade Organization language that would have made it difficult for the duo to compete.
After the agency releases its specifications, which were expected mid-January, the Air Force will award the contract this summer.
Reporter Michelle Dunlop: 425-339-3454 or mdunlop@heraldnet.com.
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