Tanker Time-out

The U.S. KC-X tanker win in February was a major breakthrough for EADS (as part of the Northrop Grumman team), which has established operations in Mobile, Alabama, already and started to relocate A330 freighter activity there, too. But the champagne corks are back in after the U.S. GAO in June upheld seven points in Boeing’s protest at the U.S. Air Force procurement.

However, EADS is still confident it will win. “We will get the tanker because we have the best airplane,” said CEO Louis Gallois. “We have the best product and it will stand the test of time,” John Young added. “The U.S. military always buy the best product.” He expects that the new decision will be announced “by year-end.”