The intense debate over the U.S. Air Force’s choice of a new tanker continues. Boeing claimed that the KC-767 was found to be “more survivable” than the Airbus A330 multi-role tanker transport (MRTT) in the USAF evaluation. Northrop Grumman launched a new Web site to refute various allegations about its A330MRTT bid and ask why Boeing did not raise concerns about the selection process earlier. The National Aeronautic Association (NAA) is devoting its next three monthly luncheons in Washington, D.C., to the topic, providing a platform for Northrop Grumman, then Boeing and finally the USAF.
Meanwhile, pending the U.S. Government Accountability Office’s verdict on Boeing’s protest, Airbus has stopped work on the first KC-45 development aircraft. This aircraft was built speculatively and made its first flight at Airbus’ Toulouse, France facility six months before the USAF selected the KC-45. It is now parked at Dresden, Germany, where EADS-EFW was scheduled to fit the large cargo door. From there, it was due to fly to Getafe, Spain, where the refueling system would be added.
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